Weather Information Network and Data System (WINDS) Project

• 30 Jul 2025

Why in News? 

The state government has allocated Rs 9.77 crore for the Weather Information Network and Data System (WINDS) project, out of a total of Rs 60 crore allocated for the current fiscal year (2025-26). 

Key Points 

• About: WINDS is a programmatic initiative to strengthen weather data infrastructure in the country and to provide good-quality weather datasets from a single digital platform. 
  • Launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare in July 2023, it is a national-level initiative that integrates the existing infrastructure and expertise available with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), various State Governments, and public/private technical organizations. 
• Objective: The WINDS project aims to provide hyper-local weather forecasting to boost agricultural productivity. 
• Components: The project will involve the installation of weather stations and rain gauges at the block and panchayat levels. 
  • Weather Stations: A total of 308 automatic weather stations will be installed in selected blocks to provide precise and real-time weather data for local areas. 
  • Rain Gauges: Around 55,570 rain gauges will be set up across gram panchayats to measure rainfall and determine local rainfall patterns.  
• Additional Infrastructure: 
  • 518 weather stations are under construction by the revenue department and the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). 
• Expected Benefits: 
  • Agricultural Productivity: With precise weather forecasts, farmers will be better prepared for extreme weather events like droughts, floods, and storms. 
    • This will help farmers take preemptive measures to protect their crops and plan for optimal harvesting times. 
  • Risk Assessment & Loss Estimation: WINDS will assist in estimating losses caused to horticultural crops during extreme weather conditions, helping stakeholders respond effectively. 
  • Crop Insurance & Agriculture Programs: The weather data will be used to decide crop insurance and aid in other agricultural programs, thus boosting overall productivity. 
  • Air Quality Monitoring: The project also focuses on improving air quality monitoring through the development of low-cost, reliable, sensor-based systems. 
  • Technological Advantage: WINDS employs advanced weather data analytics to provide actionable insights for agriculture. 
    • The system aims to generate hyper-local weather data, which will support farmers in making informed decisions regarding irrigation, sowing, and harvesting.