Lok Sabha Question No. 1797 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: Weather Forecast System for Gram Panchayats
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Shri Daroga Prasad Saroj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1797 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 30 TH  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 24 th October 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  decisionmaking  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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