Best Weather Apps for Maharashtra Farmers: Meghdoot, Mausam and Damini for Village Forecasts, Crop Advisories and Lightning Alerts
Meghdoot gives district-level forecasts with crop advice, Mausam shows IMD forecasts and warnings, and Damini alerts you to lightning nearby. All are free.
Photo: Abhi / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The most useful free weather apps for farmers in Maharashtra are Meghdoot, for district-level forecasts with crop-specific advice; Mausam, for IMD’s official forecasts and warnings; and Damini, for lightning alerts near your location. All three are from government agencies and available on the Play Store.
Unseasonal rain in early November 2026, when Pune recorded its heaviest November rainfall since 2019, is a reminder that a two-minute check before spraying or harvesting can save a crop.
The three apps
| App | Made by | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| Meghdoot | IMD with ICRISAT and partners | Forecasts and agro-advisories for your district and crops |
| Mausam | IMD | City and district forecasts, radar, warnings |
| Damini | IITM Pune | Lightning alerts near your location |
Meghdoot has been available since 2020 and offers advisories in several Indian languages. The crop-specific advisories come from IMD’s Agro-Met Field Units at agricultural universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras, which issue bulletins twice a week.
How to use Meghdoot
- Install Meghdoot from the Play Store and choose your language.
- Select your state and district.
- Read the forecast for the next five days and the advisory: when to sow, spray, irrigate or harvest.
How to use Damini
Allow location access. The app shows lightning strikes nearby and warns if lightning is expected. Lightning is one of the biggest killers of farm workers during storms; if the app warns you, leave open fields and avoid standing under isolated trees.
Other sources
- IMD’s district agromet advisories, also shared by Krishi Vigyan Kendras on WhatsApp and SMS
- IMD Pune’s daily forecasts for Madhya Maharashtra
- Your agricultural university’s advisories, such as those from Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri
Understand the bigger picture this season in our explainer on El Niño, La Niña and Pune’s winter, and what to do if rain damages your crop.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best weather app for farmers in India?
Meghdoot is designed for farmers, combining IMD forecasts with crop advice. Mausam and Damini are useful companions.
Is the Meghdoot app free?
Yes. It is a free government app on the Play Store.
Which app gives lightning alerts?
Damini, developed by IITM Pune, shows lightning activity and warnings near your location.
How often are agro-advisories issued?
IMD’s agromet units issue district advisories twice a week.
