The annual national symposium of Indian Meteorological Society, TROPMET-2020 is organized virtually with the theme “Weather and Climate Services over Mountainous Regions” during 14-17 December, 2020 by North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) and Indian Meteorological Society – Shillong Chapter. For the first time this symposium is conducted virtually and controlled from NESAC, Shillong. The symposium has received overwhelmed response with more than 450 registrations and 315 abstracts. In addition, 12 plenary lectures, 13 invited talks, 2 memorial lecture, 1 popular lecture, and one special talk by Dy Secretary General of World Meteorological Organisation is planned during the four days. The inauguration program of the symposium was conducted during 10:00 to 11:15 AM on 14 December, 2020.
The Secretary of Ministry of Earth Sciences, Dr M N Rajeevan was the Chief Guest while Shri Moses K Chalai, Secretary of North Eastern Council, Shillong was the guest of honour. The inauguration program was also attended by Dr M Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology, IMD; Shri P L N Raju, Director, NESAC; and Dr D R Pattanaik, Secretary, IMS. The importance of weather and climate services for the mountainous regions including the complex NE region of India was discussed. Secretary, NE council stressed on the importance of improved services and enhancement of observatories to address the challenge posed by severe weather and climate change that can derail the livelihood options for the indigenous population living over the mountainous regions. Secretary, MoES stressed on the utilization of advanced technology and greater involvement of younger generation to develop solutions for the problems faced by the population living in mountainous regions. There was a consensus that different department need to join hands to address the complex problems of weather and climate services over the mountainous regions.