Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology - IITM, Pune

IITM has successfully inaugurated the workshop on Indian Ocean-Monsoon Climate: Annual to Decadal Variability, Mechanism and Predictability, at Meghdoot Auditorium, IITM, today.

This three days workshop (20-22 May 2026) began today with inaugural session by Chief Guest. Prof. Sunil Bhagwat, Director, IISER Pune, & Guest of Honor, Dr. Himanshu Shekhar, Technology Director, HEMRL, Pune.
The inaugural Key Note was presented by Dr. A. Suryachandra Rao, Director, IITM

Scientific sessions on 1) Decadal Variability & Prediction and 2) Ocean Dynamics were conducted followed by Poster session.

For more details of Program, visit:
https://iomc2026.tropmet.res.in/

Ministry of Earth Sciences Government of India
Press Information Bureau - PIB, Government of India
Dr Jitendra Singh
Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology - IITM, Pune
Press Information Bureau in Maharashtra

IITM New Study: Experimental investigation of the structure of plane turbulent wall jets. Part 2. Structural analysis

By: Harish Choudhary, Abhishek Gupta, Shibani Bhatt, Thara Prabhakaran, Anandakumar Karipot and Shivsai Ajit Dixit

Pub: Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 1034, 10 May 2026, A19
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2026.11495

This paper highlights a new understanding of plane turbulent wall jet flow, which is used as a model for atmospheric low-level jets. Traditionally, wall jet flow is considered as a two-layer flow with a turbulent boundary layer below the mean velocity maximum and a free jet region above it. The present study, using long field-of-view particle image velocimetry measurements, shows that large-scale jet structures (outer jet mode) present above the mean velocity maximum extend even below this region and act as non-local eddies that interact with the locally-present inner jet mode leading to the counter-gradient momentum transport below velocity maximum. The study also confirms the presence of long jet-scale coherent structures (inner jet mode) in the near-wall region of the wall jet flow. These findings indicate that the region below the mean velocity maximum in wall jets significantly differs from a classical turbulent boundary layer and provide deeper insights into the turbulent structure of wall jet flow, helping to bridge the gap in our understanding of atmospheric low-level jets.

Read full: https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2026.11495

Fig: (a) Schematic showing the dominant modal vortical structures in the wall jet flow appearing in the LSE fields subject to the condition of ‘prograde’ swirling in the outer region. Large arrows indicate the three-vortex system of submode 1 whereas smaller arrows indicate the vortex organization (vortex packet) occurring in submode 2. Dashed inclined lines indicate the inclination angles of the coherent patterns obtained from the two-point correlation analysis of all fields.
(b) Schematic showing the occurrence of the counter-gradient region as a result of the intrusion of the outer jet mode into the inner region (below velocity maximum) and its interaction with the inner jet mode.

Shivsai Dixit
Ministry of Earth Sciences Government of India
Press Information Bureau - PIB, Government of India
Dr Jitendra Singh
Press Information Bureau in Maharashtra
Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology - IITM, Pune

IITM Study: Seasonality, trends, and SOA formation potential of anthropogenic volatile organic compounds: Implications for pollution

By: Annada Padhi, Satheesh Chandran P.R, Suvarna Fadnavis
Pub: Atmospheric Pollution Research, Volume 17, Issue 2, February 2026

Highlights
• High concentrations of AVOCs are observed in winter and are lowest in summer globally.
• Developing regions show an increasing trend compared to developed regions.
• The SOAP of AVOCs substantially increases due to DVOCS (>50 % contribution) which aggravate pollution.
• Higher SOAP (∼84 %) contributes significantly to PM2.5 formation and winter haze.

A new MoES (IITM Pune) study entitled “Seasonality, trends, and SOA formation potential of anthropogenic volatile organic compounds: Implications for pollution” has been published in the February issue of the Science Direct Journal.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1309104225003678?getft_integrator=clarivate&pes=vor&utm_source=clarivate

IITM new Study: Investigating climate-driven variability of a small pelagic fishery off the Indian west coast using a population dynamic model

By: Vinu Valsala, Inakonda Veera Ganga Bhavani, Faseela Hamza
Pub: Ecological Modelling, Volume 519, September 2026

This IITM paper introduces BIOFIM, an in-house developed Fishery bioenergetic Model. BIOFIM stands for Bioenergetic Indian Ocean Fishery Model. With this model, IITM scientists have successfully replicated the Sardine (one of the pelagic fishes) in the last 60 years on the Indian west coast by capturing its variability very well. The model has application in sustainability studies by examining mortality rates under various climate stress conditions.

Highlights from this paper:

• A bioenergetic-driven population model (BIOFIM) has been developed.
• This model links climate variability to fish biomass.
• Model successfully reproduces the interannual variability in oil sardine landings along the west coast of India over the past 53 years (1965–2017).
• Atmospheric pressure is the dominant large-scale climate driver influencing model performance.
• Sensitivity analysis revealed that the sardine fishery remains sustainable within ±15% of the mean when the mortality rate changes by ±10%.
* Fishing by 40–50% may lead to a severe decline in sardine populations.

Read full: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0304380026001833?via%3Dihub

Figure: The 1965–2017 yearly values of (a) PL representing diatoms and (b) ZL representing copepods (c) ocean temperature averaged from surface to 100 m (thick lines). The error bars and shades show the seasonal and inter-location deviations of PL and ZL. Figure (d) depicts the normalized anomalies of air pressure (NPPI), air temperature (AIR) and sea surface temperature (SST) over southwest coast of India used to calculate the dynamic recruitment in the model.

Dr Jitendra Singh
Press Information Bureau - PIB, Government of India
Ministry of Earth Sciences Government of India
Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology - IITM, Pune
Press Information Bureau in Maharashtra

Workshop on Indian Ocean–Monsoon Climate (IOMC) 2026

Understanding climate variability from annual to decadal timescales is critical for strengthening long-term adaptation, resilience, and climate-risk management. Against this backdrop, IITM is hosting the Workshop on “Indian Ocean–Monsoon Climate: Annual to Decadal Variability, Mechanisms and Predictability (IOMC)” from 19–22 May 2026 at Aaryabhatta Hall, IITM.

The workshop brings together leading experts in observations, theory, modelling, and prediction systems to advance scientific understanding of the Indian Ocean climate and the Indian Summer Monsoon. Discussions will focus on the physical mechanisms governing climate variability, ocean–atmosphere interactions, advances in coupled climate models, and the growing role of decadal climate predictions in sectors such as agriculture, water resources, and disaster management.

The first day featured technical lectures by distinguished scientists including Dr. C. Gnanaseelan, Dr. Somenath Dutta, and Dr. Vimal Koul, alongside hands-on training sessions and student presentations aimed at fostering the next generation of climate researchers.

The workshop is expected to strengthen scientific collaborations, identify emerging research gaps, and contribute toward improving climate prediction frameworks essential for societal and policy applications under a changing climate.

PMO India Dr Jitendra SinghMinistry of Earth Sciences Government of India Press Information Bureau - PIB, Government of India MyGovIndia

IITM in News: Indian Express, Pune,

A new startup incubation center in Pune targets new-gen weather techies

Read full: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/iitm-pune-weathertech-startup-incubation-centre-mission-mausam-10698001/?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=WhatsappShare

Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology - IITM, Pune
Ministry of Earth Sciences Government of India
Press Information Bureau - PIB, Government of India
Dr Jitendra Singh
PMO India

A new startup incubation center in Pune targets new-gen weather techies The India Meteorological Department provides forecasts multiple days ahead, but obtaining immediate hyper-local information is still a work in progress.

*IITM Strengthens National Lightning Monitoring Network with New Installation at Lakshadweep*

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, has successfully installed a Lightning Detection System (LDS) at the RS/RW Observatory, Aminidivi, India Meteorological Department (IMD) Observatory, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Lakshadweep, India. This marks another significant milestone in strengthening India’s lightning monitoring capabilities.

The newly installed system will enhance lightning detection accuracy over the Arabian Sea region and improve real-time monitoring of lightning activity across coastal and island regions. The installation is an important addition to the Indian Lightning Location Network (ILLN), which plays a vital role in Lightning monitoring, scientific research, and public safety.

This achievement of Thunderstorm Dynamics reflects IITM’s continuous efforts toward expanding and strengthening the national lightning detection network for improved atmospheric observations and greater societal benefit.

Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology - IITM, Pune
Press Information Bureau in Maharashtra
Dr Jitendra Singh
Press Trust of India - PTI
Ministry of Earth Sciences Government of India

Glimpses from one-day national meet titled ‘Weather and Climate Innovation Meet for Startups and Entrepreneurs (WISE-2026)’, 15th May 2026 at IITM, Pune.

IITM Pune Inaugurates State-of-the-Art Incubation Center and Hosts Landmark ‘WISE-2026’ Meet to Revolutionize Climate Entrepreneurship
Read PIB Press Release: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2261458&v=23444566fcnvnb+nb®=3&lang=2

Ministry of Earth Sciences Government of India
Press Information Bureau - PIB, Government of India
Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology - IITM, Pune