Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) launched the Gram Panchayat Level Weather Forecasting (GPLWF) initiative on October 24, 2024, in collaboration with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), to provide weather forecasts for nearly all Gram Panchayats across the country. This initiative aims to improve local weather monitoring and early warning systems, supporting farmers with essential data for informed decision-making. Weather forecasts are accessible on digital platforms.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Implementation and Scope:**
* The GPLWF initiative has been implemented across nearly all Gram Panchayats in India.
* Local weather conditions are monitored using instruments like INSAT3DR/3DS satellites, Radars, Radio Sondes, and Automatic Weather Stations (AWS).
* **Challenges and Improvements:**
* Monitoring local weather conditions can be challenging.
* Improvements in the meteorological weather observation network, including radar coverage (currently 87% of the country), have significantly enhanced monitoring and early warning capabilities.
* Plans are in place to establish more radars to cover remaining gap areas and provide redundancy.
* **Accessibility and Information Delivery:**
* Gram Panchayat level weather forecasts are available on digital platforms: e-Gramswaraj, Meri Panchayat app, eManchitra of MoPR, and Mausamgram of IMD.
* The GPLWF provides weather forecasts covering temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind, and cloud conditions.
* Weather information is disseminated through Pashu Sakhis, Krishi Sakhis, and Self Help Groups (SHGs).
* **Forecast Timelines:**
* Hourly forecasts are available for up to a 36-hour lead period.
* 3-hourly forecasts are available from 36 hours to the next five days.
* 6-hourly forecasts are available from the next 5 days to 10 days.
Impact Analysis:
* **Farmers:**
* Impact: Access to localized weather information aids in making informed decisions regarding sowing, harvesting, and irrigation.
* Action Required: Utilize the weather forecasts provided through the various digital platforms to optimize agricultural practices.
* **Panchayats:**
* Impact: Enabled with tools and information to support local communities with timely and relevant weather updates.
* Action Required: Promote the use of available weather forecast platforms (e-Gramswaraj, Meri Panchayat app, eManchitra) and disseminate information through local networks.
* **Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Ministry of Rural Development:**
* Impact: Strengthened ability to reach a larger number of people through Pashu Sakhis and Krishi Sakhis, and other Self Help Groups (SHGs).
* Action Required: Continue to facilitate weather information dissemination to farmers and rural communities through established networks.
Key Entities Referenced
Gram Panchayat Level Weather Forecasting GPLWF: A government initiative to provide weather forecasts at the Gram Panchayat level.
India Meteorological Department IMD: The national meteorological service of India, responsible for weather forecasting.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj MoPR: The Indian government ministry responsible for local governance.
Ministry of Earth Sciences MoES: The Indian government ministry responsible for research and development related to Earth sciences.
Madhya Pradesh: A state in India where the implementation of the weather forecasting initiative is being monitored.
Dadra and Nagar Haveli: A Union Territory in India where the weather conditions are being monitored.
INSAT3DR 3DS: Indian National Satellite System - series of Geostationary satellites sending meteorological earth observation data.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for agriculture and farmer welfare.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4387
TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 20THAUGUST, 2025
PANCHAYAT LEVEL WEATHER FORECASTING
†4387. SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL:
SMT. DELKAR KALABEN MOHANBHAI:
Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:
(a) the details of States in which the Government has implemented Panchayat level weather
forecast system/initiative;
(b) the details of equipment for example RADAR, satellite etc. being used at present under
this initiative in various States including in the State of Madhya Pradesh and Union
Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli for monitoring local weather conditions;
(c) whether monitoring local weather conditions becomes challenging due to lack of Doppler
RADAR in various States including in Madhya Pradesh and Dadra and Nagar Haveli;
(d) the details of steps taken by the Government to ensure effective implementation of this
initiative; and
(e) whether the Government has been formulating any measures to implement effective
hourly weather forecast system at Panchayat level including in the State of Madhya
Pradesh and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
AND EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has launched the Gram Panchayat Level Weather
Forecasting (GPLWF) initiative. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in
collaboration with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), launched the GPLWF for
nearly all Gram Panchayats across the country on 24th October 2024.
(b) At present, monitoring of local weather conditions across the county, including Dadra
Nagar Haveli, is done through various instruments, including satellites (INSAT-3DR &
3DS), Radars, Radio Sondes, Automatic Weather Station (AWS), etc.
(c)-(d) Yes. The monitoring of local weather conditions is challenging. However, with the
improvement in the meteorological weather observation network, including radars in the
country in recent years, the monitoring and early warning of local weather has improved
substantially. With the enhancement in the radar network and other observation networks
in the coming years, the monitoring and early warning of local weather conditions,
particularly severe weather conditions, will further improve.
Currently, DWR coverage is available for a large part of the country (about 87% of the
total area of the country). More radars as per the requirement will be established in the
coming years so that the remaining gap areas are covered and provide redundancy.(e) The gram panchayat level weather forecasts are accessible on digital platforms such as e-
Gramswaraj (https://egramswaraj.gov.in/), the Meri panchayat app, e-Manchitra of
MoPR, and Mausamgram of IMD (https://mausamgram.imd.gov.in/). The main aims and
objectives of the GPLWF are to provide weather forecasts up to Gram Panchayat Levels,
covering critical parameters such as temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind, and cloud
conditions—essential data that farmers need for informed decision-making regarding
sowing, harvesting, and irrigation. The platform makes weather forecast information
accessible anytime and anywhere at the panchayat level across the country, including
Madhya Pradesh. This weather information reaches a larger number of people through
Pashu Sakhis and Krishi Sakhis under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
and the Ministry of Rural Development, as well as other Self Help Groups (SHGs). The
GPLWF helps farmers to have access to localized weather information available hourly
for up to a 36-hour lead period, 3-hourly from 36 hours to the next five days, and every 6
hours from the next 5 days to 10 days.
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