India’s First Urban Climate Test Bed Launched at Sathyabama Institute, Chennai
Chennai: 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. Supported by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, the facility marks a major milestone in India’s climate science initiatives and reinforces the nation’s vision of becoming “Weather Ready and Climate Smart.”
Dr. M. Ravichandran, Hon’ble Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, inaugurated the facility as Chief Guest. The event was presided over by Dr. Mariazeena Johnson, Hon’ble Chancellor of Sathyabama Institute, and Dr. A. Suryachandra Rao, Director, IITM Pune. Distinguished attendees included Dr. Thara Prabhakaran, Scientist G and Project Director, Mission Mausam; 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.
Located within the Sathyabama Research Park, the facility is equipped with advanced atmospheric instruments and a dedicated Data Recording and Processing Centre housed in the Centre for Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics. Key technologies include a Ceilometer, SODAR, and Micro Rain Radar, enabling continuous high-resolution monitoring of wind circulation, aerosols, clouds, and rainfall patterns over Chennai—one of India’s most climate-vulnerable urban regions.
The inauguration also featured the launch of the Paleoclimatology Laboratory and three climate-themed information galleries—Geochronos, Oceana, and Innovaria. These outreach hubs aim to foster climate literacy, citizen science, and collaborative research, enhancing public awareness and resilience across Chennai and surrounding regions.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mariazeena Johnson expressed pride in hosting the nation’s first Urban Test Bed Facility in Chennai. “Sathyabama is actively promoting sustainability-focused research aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This facility reflects our commitment to integrating education and science for societal benefit and environmental stewardship,” she said.
The Mission Mausam initiative is a strategic step toward integrating scientific research with urban climate adaptation. By leveraging the expertise of MoES and its affiliated institutions, the facility will support capacity building, student training, and interdisciplinary research.
The launch of the Urban Test Bed Facility at Sathyabama marks a new chapter in academia–government collaboration, advancing India’s capabilities in atmospheric observation, weather forecasting, and climate resilience.
