SRM IST Launches Mission Mausam Urban Testbed in Chennai | Signs MoU with IITM to Boost Weather Forecasting
Chennai, May 6, 2026: In a significant step towards strengthening urban climate research and weather forecasting capabilities, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), Ramapuram, on Wednesday inaugurated the Mission Mausam Urban Testbed and advanced observational facilities at its Chennai campus.
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| (From 2nd left) Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences; Dr. R. Shivakumar, Chairman, SRMIST; Dr. A. Suryachandra Rao, Director, IITM Pune |
The facility, developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is the first of its kind in Chennai. It aims to generate high-resolution, real-time atmospheric data to significantly enhance nowcasting, forecasting accuracy, and early warning systems for urban weather events.
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Mission Mausam, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is designed to improve disaster preparedness and strengthen climate services across sectors such as agriculture, aviation, water resources, and energy, ultimately contributing to a weather-ready and climate-smart India.
The Urban Testbed will monitor key atmospheric parameters including aerosols, clouds, precipitation, atmospheric dynamics, and thermodynamic conditions across Chennai. By integrating dense surface observations through automatic weather stations and advanced volumetric measurements using radars and profilers, the facility will enable more precise modelling of severe weather events, particularly during the monsoon season.
The initiative was inaugurated by Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, in the presence of Dr. A. Suryachandra Rao, Director, IITM Pune; Dr. R. Shivakumar, Chairman, SRMIST; Dr. Thara Prabhakaran; and Dr. M. Sakthi Ganesh, Dean (Engineering and Technology), along with senior academicians and institutional leaders.
The event also marked the launch of SRMIST’s Centre for Atmospheric Sciences Research and Innovation and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between SRMIST and IITM. The agreement is expected to foster collaborative research and academic initiatives in weather and climate sciences.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Shivakumar highlighted the strategic importance of the Ramapuram campus in studying urban atmospheric conditions. He noted that the Urban Testbed would serve as a representative site for advancing kilometre-scale weather models and enhancing forecasting capabilities. “This collaboration will strengthen research infrastructure and enable multidisciplinary innovation that benefits Chennai and beyond,” he said.
Dr. Sakthi Ganesh emphasised the growing vulnerability of urban areas to extreme weather events due to increasing population density and infrastructure pressures. He said Mission Mausam integrates observations, numerical models, artificial intelligence, and social sciences to address these challenges. “The Urban Testbed will generate location-specific meteorological data, improving forecasting precision and supporting better preparedness in densely populated cities like Chennai,” he added.
The initiative is expected to open new avenues for students and researchers at SRMIST, providing hands-on opportunities in advanced atmospheric science research while contributing to national efforts in climate resilience and disaster risk reduction.
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