New Delhi, May 12: India's weather office could soon play a key role in deciding the cricket team's tour itinerary in the subcontinent.

As rain continues to ruin play in the ongoing India- Bangladesh cricket series, the Ministry of Earth Sciences has stepped in with an offer to provide weather forecasts for any tour within the subcontinent as also Sharjah, a proposal that has caught the cricket boss' interest.

"We had suggested to Cricket Board chief Sharad Pawar to evolve a permanent mechanism for having weather-related inputs from the India Meteorological Department for cricket matches within the subcontinent," Minister for Earth Science Kapil Sibal told reporters here today.

Pawar was quick in his reply and favoured such a mechanism, Sibal said.

Sweat out at Chennai’s gyms Ragu Kavacham Where the sun worships Perumal Dhanush-Shriya Come Together Again இளையராஜாவின் திடீர் விசிட் ஜீவனின் தொடரும் சென்ட்டிமென்ட் சர்வத்தில் சர்க்கஸ்

Two one day international cricket matches of the ongoing India-Bangladesh series have already been curtailed due to rains and the early onset of monsoon is expected to affect the second Test match that begins on May 25.

The south-west monsoon has already set over Andaman and Nicobar island on May 10, a week in advance and is expected to reach Bangladesh shores on May 24.

"Currently, the monsoon is active in the Bay of Bengal and a low pressure area over central Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify and move north-eastward bringing some more rains in the north-eastern states and adjoining Bangladesh," said Akhilesh Gupta, an Adviser in the ministry.

Gupta said there were chances of slight interruption in the May 15 ODI due to rain and thunderstorm, while the two Test matches could see major interruption. Sibal said sports itineraries finalised in consultation with the IMD would help in better organisation of events and help spectators enjoy it to the fullest. "Cricket could just be a beginning, such customised forecast could help in better organisation of other sporting events too," he said. 

Gupta said the weather deparment can provide a normal expected weather for a particular period of the year and then give short term forecasts for a week, five day and three days. "The weekly forecasts are 55 per cent accurate, while the five-day and three-day forecasts are 60-65 per cent and 70-75 per cent accurate respectively," he said.

The Meteorological department is gearing up to provide venue specific weather forecast for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi and has plans for a massive restructuring exercise for the purpose. A Cabinet note is being moved to modernise the Meteorological Department at a cost of Rs 900 crore. (Agencies)