Government Launches Weather Forecast Initiative for Gram Panchayats

Why in the news?

The government has launched a weather forecasting initiative at the Gram Panchayat level to empower rural communities and enhance disaster preparedness, benefiting farmers across India.

Government Launches Weather Forecast Initiative for Gram Panchayats

About the Launch of Weather Forecast at Gram Panchayat Level:

  • The government has officially launched a Weather Forecast initiative at the Gram Panchayat level in New Delhi.
  • This program aims to empower rural communities and enhance disaster preparedness, directly benefiting farmers and villagers across the country.
  • Weather updates will be disseminated through platforms like e-GramSwaraj, the Meri Panchayat app, and Gram Manchitra.

Government Collaboration and Objectives:

  • The initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Panchayati Raj Ministry, the Earth Sciences Ministry, and the India Meteorological Department.
  • Panchayati Raj Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh emphasised that this initiative represents a significant advancement for the country’s economy, supporting local agricultural practices and enhancing community resilience.

About the Weather Forecast Initiative:

  • Objective: Aims to empower rural communities and enhance disaster preparedness at the grassroots level.
  • Target Beneficiaries: Directly benefits farmers and villagers nationwide.
  • Government Agenda: Part of the Government’s 100 Days Agenda, it strengthens grassroots governance and promotes sustainable agricultural practices.
  • Climate Resilience: Enhances rural populations’ climate resilience to tackle environmental challenges.
  • Localised Forecasts: First-time localised weather forecasts available at the Gram Panchayat level, supported by expanded sensor coverage from the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
  • Dissemination Platforms:
  • e-GramSwaraj: Enables efficient governance, project tracking, and resource management.
  • Meri Panchayat App: Encourages community engagement, allowing citizens to interact with local representatives and report issues.
  • Gram Manchitra: A spatial planning tool providing geospatial insights for development projects.

Sources Referred:

PIB, The Hindu, Indian Express, Hindustan Times