Bhubaneswar's New Weather Initiative: How WINDS Will Transform Agriculture

The Odisha government has launched the Weather Information Network Data System (WINDS) project in collaboration with Sky-met Weather Services. This initiative aims to install automatic weather stations and rain gauges to provide real-time weather data, benefiting farmers and enhancing disaster management. Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo highlighted the project's potential to improve crop planning and support the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. With joint implementation by the Agriculture department and the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority, this project is set to empower farmers and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 4, 2025, 10:10 IST

Bhubaneswar Launches Weather Information Network Data System

In a significant move for agricultural advancement, the Odisha government has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sky-met Weather Services Pvt Ltd to launch the Weather Information Network Data System (WINDS) project. This initiative will see the establishment of automatic weather stations (AWS) at the block level and automatic rain gauges (ARG) in every gram panchayat.

The WINDS project is designed to enhance weather data accessibility, benefiting farmers, insurance sectors, and disaster management efforts. Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who oversees Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy, emphasized the importance of accurate weather data for effective crop planning and risk assessment during the MoU signing.

The project aims to support the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) by providing real-time weather monitoring. Singh Deo stated that this initiative would empower farmers, encouraging them to adopt multiple cropping strategies. The Agriculture department and the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) will jointly oversee the project, with funding sourced from the PMFBY budget managed by the Cooperation department. The agreement was signed by Subham Saxena, Director of Agriculture & Food Production, and Jogesh Patil, CEO of Sky-met Weather Services Pvt Ltd, with senior officials from the Agriculture Department also in attendance.