Reliance Foundation and IMD Forge Partnership to Empower Climate-Vulnerable Communities

The Reliance Foundation and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) have collaborated to enhance the accessibility and application of weather information, benefiting climate-vulnerable communities across India. This partnership aims to strengthen forecasting, early warning services, and resilient agriculture through data-driven insights and technology.

The Reliance Foundation has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences in New Delhi, aiming to improve access and application of weather information to bolster livelihoods and resilience for climate-vulnerable communities across India.

Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology at IMD, and Jagannatha Kumar, CEO of Reliance Foundation, formalized the agreement, underscoring the importance of stakeholder engagement to foster community resilience. They highlighted the role of new technologies in enhancing forecasts, early warnings, and agro-advisories through data-driven insights.

The partnership focuses on joint efforts in research, stakeholder convenings to discuss climate change adaptation, and improving weather forecasting and early warning communication strategies. It aims to make critical weather information accessible to the most vulnerable communities, emphasizing resilient livelihoods and personal safety even with limited technology access.

Reliance Foundation commits to contributing to the global 'Early Warning for All' initiative by the WMO and UNDRR. The collaboration with IMD and other stakeholders aims to better utilize weather data, enhance disaster preparedness, and improve climate resilience, ultimately boosting personal safety and livelihoods.

For over a decade, Reliance Foundation has distributed IMD's weather forecasts and early warning advisories through multiple channels, supporting millions of smallholder farmers and other vulnerable groups. Ground-level feedback from these communities informs ongoing research, helping to refine and enhance future initiatives. Studies indicate these efforts have positively impacted farming productivity and income.

(With inputs from agencies.)