Unlike many who use weather apps, residents of a Kerala village are utilizing an automatic weather station to monitor weather patterns. This weather station offers essential real-time weather updates, including rainfall forecasts, enabling residents to stay informed. The implementation follows the ‘Living Lab’ approach, a method that addresses community challenges through research and innovation.
The weather station’s deployment stems from the devastating 2022 landslide that caused casualties and extensive agricultural damage. Residents, like 55-year-old Anil, now receive daily weather updates crucial for preparing for extreme weather events. The panchayat plans to expand the system by adding more than a dozen additional stations across its wards. Furthermore, an early warning system for landslides is being introduced, developed in collaboration with IIT-Roorkee, following an investigation by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA).
Local residents can access weather data through a dedicated link. This data, which includes rainfall levels, wind speed, and temperature, is then distributed among the community through a WhatsApp group, promoting wider access to critical weather information. The Living Lab concept has also helped to educate residents on safety protocols and emergency responses.