Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), in collaboration with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), launched the Gram Panchayat Level Weather Forecasting (GPLWF) initiative on October 24, 2024. This initiative aims to provide localized weather forecasts to Gram Panchayats, aiding farmers in making informed decisions. Weather information is accessible through various digital platforms. The Agrometeorological Advisory Services (AAS) are provided to protect agricultural livelihoods.
Key Points / Main Content:
Gram Panchayat Level Weather Forecasting (GPLWF) Initiative:
* Launched on October 24, 2024, by MoES, IMD, and MoPR.
* Provides weather forecasts at the Gram Panchayat level.
* Forecasts include temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind, and cloud conditions.
* Information is available hourly (up to 36 hours), every 3 hours (36 hours to 5 days), and every 6 hours (5 to 10 days).
* Accessible via eGramswaraj, Meri Panchayat app, eManchitra of MoPR, and Mausamgram of IMD.
* Efforts are made to disseminate information through Pashu Sakhis, Krishi Sakhis, and Self Help Groups (SHGs).
Awareness and Outreach:
* No specific survey has been conducted on awareness levels.
* IMD continuously works to increase farmer awareness.
* The Ministry of Panchayat Raj promotes outreach via eGramSwaraj, Meri Panchayat app, and Gram Manchitra.
* Panchayat Sarpanch and Sachiv use Meri Panchayat App.
Agricultural Livelihood Protection:
* IMD, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture, State Agriculture Departments, and Agriculture Universities, provides Agrometeorological Advisory Services (AAS) under the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) scheme.
* Bi-weekly bulletins and impact-based weather forecasts are shared.
* Nowcast warnings up to district and sub-city levels are provided for severe weather events.
Impact Analysis:
Farmers:
* Impact: Access to localized weather information to aid in decision-making regarding sowing, harvesting, and irrigation.
* Action Required: Utilize available digital platforms (eGramswaraj, Meri Panchayat app, Mausamgram) to access weather forecasts and advisories.
Panchayat Sarpanch and Sachiv:
* Impact: Responsible for promoting effective outreach via eGramSwaraj, Meri Panchayat app, and Gram Manchitra
* Action Required: Use Meri Panchayat App.
India Meteorological Department (IMD):
* Impact: Responsible for generating and disseminating weather forecasts and warnings.
* Action Required: Continue efforts to increase awareness among farmers.
Ministry of Agriculture and State Agriculture Departments:
* Impact: Collaborate with IMD to provide Agrometeorological Advisory Services (AAS) and disseminate information.
* Action Required: Coordinate with IMD and other stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of AAS.
Key Entities Referenced
Gram Panchayat Level Weather Forecasting GPLWF: An initiative launched by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and the India Meteorological Department (IMD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), to provide weather forecasts at the Gram Panchayat level in India.
India Meteorological Department IMD: An agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences responsible for meteorological observations and weather forecasting.
Ministry of Earth Sciences MoES: The Indian government ministry responsible for matters relating to earth sciences.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj MoPR: The Indian government ministry responsible for matters relating to Panchayati Raj institutions.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in northern India mentioned in the context of awareness and protection measures related to weather-related natural disasters.
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for agriculture and farmers' welfare.
Ministry of Rural Development: The Indian government ministry responsible for rural development.
Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa GKMS: A scheme under which Agrometeorological Advisory Services AAS are provided for the benefit of the farming community.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1797
TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 30TH JULY, 2025
WEATHER FORECAST SYSTEM FOR GRAM PANCHAYATS
†1797. SHRI DAROGA PRASAD SAROJ:
Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has started Panchayat-level weather forecasting for Gram
Panchayats in the country with effect from 24th October, 2024 in collaboration with India
meteorological Department;
(b) if so, the salient features of the said system;
(c) whether the farmers of Uttar Pradesh including Lalganj and Azamgarh Lok Sabha
Constituencies are aware of Panchayat-level weather forecast facility and if so, the details
thereof;
(d) the various measures taken by the Government to protect agricultural livelihoods and
enhance protection against natural disasters across the country including Uttar Pradesh;
and
(e) the plan of the Government to help farmers in their efforts to prevent natural calamities
by having advance information about weather conditions so that they can take necessary
steps to manage their crops and deal with uncertainties in the yield and take precautions?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
AND EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. JITENDRA SINGH)
(a)-(b) Yes. 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 in India on 24thOctober 2024. These 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 upto 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. Attempts have been made to reach a larger number of people for this weather
information 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 36 hours lead period, 3-hourly from 36 hours to the
next five days, and every 6 hours from the next 5 days to 10 days. The forecast covers
crucial weather parameters such as temperature, rainfall, relative humidity, wind, and
cloud cover. It is also available at the link https://mausamgram.imd.gov.in/.(c) No specific survey has been conducted so far in this regard. However, the forecast is
readily available through the mobile App in a very user-friendly manner, and there have
been continuous efforts by the IMD to increase awareness among the farmers in this
regard. Also, the Ministry of Panchayat Raj has been making efforts to promote effective
outreach via e-GramSwaraj, Meri Panchayat app, and Gram Manchitra without any
human intervention. All Panchayat Sarpanch and Sachiv use Meri Panchayat App.
(d)-(e) To protect agricultural livelihood and enhance protection against weather related natural
disasters across the country including Uttar Pradesh, IMD in coordination with Ministry
of agriculture and State agriculture Dept, Agriculture Universities, etc, provides
Agrometeorological Advisory Services (AAS) viz. under Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa
(GKMS) scheme specifically for the benefit of farming community in the country.
Along with the biweekly bulletins, impact-based weather forecasts and nowcast warnings
up to district and sub-city levels are also shared for severe weather events like heavy
rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, heat waves, etc..
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