On September 9th, 2024, the WOTR Centre for Resilience Studies (W-CReS) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), a research organisation under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), formalised their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This partnership aims to combine advanced climate science research with community-focused initiatives.
The MoU was signed by Dr. R. Krishnan, Director of IITM, and Dr. Marcella D’Souza, Director of W-CReS. The agreement outlines a collaborative approach to research and training in hydrometeorology and climate science.
Hydrometeorology is a critical field that focuses on measuring and understanding the interactions between the atmosphere and the Earth’s surface. By studying the physics, chemistry, energy, and water fluxes of the atmosphere, hydrometeorology helps assess climate evolution and improve weather forecasts. Accurate hydrometeorological records and observations are essential for understanding weather patterns over time and predicting extreme events.
This information is crucial for rural communities, whose livelihoods are often at risk from extreme hydro-meteorological events such as floods, droughts, and unpredictable rainfall patterns. The uncertainties of future weather and climate present a challenge, and reducing these uncertainties is important for achieving socio-economic stability and development.
Key Aspects of the Partnership:
- Hydro-Meteorology Research: The partnership will focus on joint research and innovation in hydro-meteorology.
- Community Engagement: WOTR’s network will be utilised to implement training and research that directly benefits communities.
- Monitoring Solutions: The collaboration will work on developing practical methods for monitoring meteorological variables such as soil moisture and temperature.
IITM will contribute its expertise in the technical and scientific dimensions of the project, including support for research, training, and the assembly of hydro-meteorological sensors. It will also assist with quality control, calibration, and validation of data.
WOTR will handle outreach to potential participants, seek external funding for science and training activities, and manage the deployment and maintenance of sensors. Data collected will be analysed and shared between the two organisations for further research.
This partnership between WOTR/W-CReS and IITM aims to advance climate resilience through a combination of research and community-focused applications.
