The central government on Thursday(24 October) launched the “gram panchayat level weather forecasting” initiative that will enable residents of the over 2.5 lakh gram panchayats to have access to localised weather information with a five-day weather forecast and hourly updates.

• The development is expected to help farmers better plan their sowing and harvesting schedule and prepare for climate-related risks.
• The initiative, projected by government as a measure for boosting local-level governance and making villages climate-resilient, has been brought about by the ministry of panchayati raj (MoPR), in collaboration with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
• According to the MoPR this is the first time that localised weather forecasts will be available at the gram panchayat level, supported by IMD’s expanded sensor coverage.