Question : Weather Forecasting at District and Block Level

(a) whether the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has decided to set up weather forecasting stations in 600 districts of the country and further to be taken down to block level;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether in the first phase of the proposal, IMD has shortlisted around 130 districts and if so, the time by which these stations are likely to be set up;

(d) whether the Krishi Vigyan Kendras under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have been identified as the possible locations for the proposed weather forecasting stations; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES
(DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

(a)-(c) Yes Madam. India Meteorological Department (IMD) is implementing District level Agro-Meteorological Advisory Services in Collaboration with Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) and under that will set up District Agro meteorological Units (DAMU) in 530 districts in addition to the existing 130 Agro-Met Field Units (AMFU). The 530 DAMUs will be established in a phased manner by March 2020.

(d)-(e) Under Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS), District Agro-Meteorological Units (DAMUs) will be established at KrishiVigyanKendras (KVKs) in each district in collaboration with ICAR to implement district level Agromet Advisory Services during 2017-20. In addition to existing 130 Agromet Field Units (AMFUs) which will act as DAMUs for the districts of their location, 530 DAMUs will be established in a phased wise manner. The network of DAMUs will be extended to cover all the districts by March 2020.