Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh launches “Weather Forecasting at the Gram Panchayat Level”

Newdelhi:25/10/24:Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Minister of Panchayati Raj, Shri (Dr.) Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology & Earth Sciences, and Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, launched Gram Panchayat-Level Weather Forecasting in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi today. This initiative, developed in collaboration between the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), marks a major step forward in climate preparedness at the grassroots level. This significant endeavor is part of the Government’s 100 Days Agenda and reflects a Whole of Government approach, with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj working closely with expert Departments to bring transformative changes in grassroots governance. The initiative will provide Gram Panchayats with a five-day weather forecast and hourly updates, enabling rural communities to better plan agricultural activities and prepare for weather-related risks.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology & Earth Sciences Shri (Dr.) Jitendra Singh commended the collaboration between MoPR and IMD, emphasizing that the availability of weather forecasts at the Gram Panchayat level will significantly boost disaster preparedness while also contributing to the creation of climate-resilient communities across India. He attributed the consistent improvement in the accuracy of weather forecasting over the last decade to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel elaborated on the long-term benefits of this initiative, which aligns with the Government’s vision of building smart, empowered, and self-reliant Panchayats. He emphasized the potential of this initiative to make a positive impact on the lives of rural citizens, particularly farmers, and stressed the importance of raising widespread public awareness about its advantages. Prof. Baghel said that rural India will play a pivotal role in realizing the dream of a developed nation through such forward-thinking and transformative initiatives.

During his address, Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, MoPR, called upon Panchayats to actively disseminate weather-related information to the masses, ensuring that rural communities fully benefit from the initiative. While Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, and Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General, India Meteorological Department, provided comprehensive insights into the technical aspects and benefits of “Weather Forecasting at the Gram Panchayat Level”. Shri Alok Prem Nagar, Joint Secretary, MoPR, highlighted the crucial role of Panchayats in driving this initiative forward.

The launch of the Gram Panchayat-Level Weather Forecasting system is a momentous milestone in empowering rural communities and building a climate-resilient India. It will help rural populations make informed decisions about agricultural activities, disaster preparedness, and infrastructure planning, ensuring a higher quality of life and contributing to the nation’s progress.