The Mission Mausam Urban Test Bed Facility – Chennai was inaugurated on 13th October 2025 at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology (Deemed to be University), Chennai, with the support of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India. This state-of-the-art facility marks a major milestone in the nation’s climate science initiatives and strengthens India’s preparedness toward becoming a “Weather Ready and Climate Smart” nation.
Inauguration Ceremony
The facility was inaugurated by Dr. M. Ravichandran, Hon’ble Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, as the Chief Guest, and presided over by Dr. Mariazeena Johnson, Hon’ble Chancellor of Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, and Dr. A. Suryachandra Rao, Director, IITM, Pune.
Dr. Thara Prabhakaran, Scientist G and Project Director, Mission Mausam, IITM Pune; Prof. Balaji Ramakrishnan, Director, NIOT; Dr. R. S. Kankara, Director, NCCR; Dr. B. Amudha, Head, IMD-RMC, Chennai; and Dr. T. V. S. Udaya Bhaskar, Scientist G, INCOIS, Hyderabad were also present during the inauguration.
About the Facility
With a focus on investigating and understanding Chennai’s urban climate variability, the facility is equipped with state-of-the-art atmospheric instruments at Sathyabama Research Park, alongside a dedicated Data Recording and Processing Centre located in the Centre for Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics. The facility is equipped with advanced atmospheric observation systems such as a Ceilometer, SODAR, and Micro Rain Radar, which provide continuous high-resolution observations of three-dimensional wind circulation, aerosols, clouds, and rainfall characteristics over Chennai — one of India’s most climate-vulnerable urban regions.
Additional Facilities
In addition to the Urban Test Bed Facility, the ceremony also marked the inauguration of the Paleoclimatology Laboratory and Information Galleries – Geochronos, Oceana, and Innovaria. These facilities aim to serve as knowledge and outreach hubs for promoting climate literacy, citizen science, and collaborative research on environmental sustainability. Together, they will contribute to building scientific awareness and resilience among communities in Chennai and across the region.
Remarks from the Chancellor
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mariazeena Johnson expressed her pride in hosting the first Urban Test Bed Facility in Chennai at Sathyabama. She stated, “Sathyabama is actively promoting sustainability-focused research that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The establishment of the Mission Mausam facility reinforces the belief that education and science must work hand in hand to serve society, safeguard the environment, and build a better future for generations to come.”
Towards a Climate-Smart Future
This initiative represents a significant step toward integrating scientific research with urban climate adaptation strategies. By combining the expertise of the Ministry of Earth Sciences and its constituent institutions, the facility will create new avenues for capacity building, student training, and interdisciplinary research.
The inauguration of the Mission Mausam Urban Test Bed Facility at Sathyabama symbolizes a new era of collaboration between academia and national research institutions, advancing India’s efforts to enhance atmospheric observation, improve weather forecasting, and strengthen the nation’s resilience to climate change.
