Pune: For hyper-local forecast, IMD mulls mini observatories in all panchayats

To kickstart the project, a pilot has been proposed for gram panchayats in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh from January next year. In Maharashtra, there are 28, 813 gram panchayats.

“Till now, we have had block level forecasts at 6,500 blocks in the country. We have now proposed to introduce hyper-local forecasts with these mini observatories. The proposal is to have these observatories in 2017,” said N Chattopadhyay, deputy director general, Agromet services, Pune IMD.

The met department is in talks with the Panchayat ministry to initiate the project. “It is at a very nascent stage and we are talking to the Panchayat ministry to support the project,” he said.

In the state, there are 640 krishi vigyan kendras and with the addition of panchayat mini observatories, the forecast would be clubbed and given to local level users, said officials.

Having faced flak earlier for not being able to give early warnings, these hyper-local observatories will focus on issuing weather forecasts as well as early warning system.

Director General, IMD, KJ Ramesh, who took over earlier this month, said, “We want states to take up the initiative and help expand our operations in the sector,” he said.

With floods in cities becoming a regular phenomenon, the model developed will predict exact amount of rain in small areas, at least four to six hours before the actual downpour. “Hyper-local early warning systems can be in place with the help of the respective state governments,” said Ramesh, adding that it would help civic bodies, traffic police and rescue teams to be prepared for any eventuality such as landslides, water logging and traffic issues.

In the state, presently, there are 52 automatic weather stations and 673 in the country. There are 103 automatic rain gauges in the state and 1,350 in the country. Meanwhile, the IMD is already giving 6,500 block level forecasts.