North Eastern Space Applications Centre

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 24th September 2025 among the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC), Umiam, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, and the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), Guwahati for the development of a lightning nowcasting system and integrated lightning risk reduction measures for Assam.
The MoU was signed by Ms. L. Sweety Changsan, IAS, CEO, ASDMA, Dr. S. P. Aggarwal, Director, NESAC, and Dr. A. Suryachand Rao, Director, IITM (joined virtually), in presence of scientists from IITM and NESAC, along with senior officials of ASDMA.
CEO, ASDMA mentioned that Lightning is a major disaster affecting Assam and every year more than 35 human lives are lost in Assam along with a large number of animals. She mentioned the need for comprehensive approach integrating the data and knowledge from multiple institutions and expressed hope that the MoU will enable development of an actionable lightning early warning system for Assam and other services that are required for lightning risk reduction.
Director, NESAC mentioned about the existing collaboration between ASDMA and NESAC and the new initiatives taken towards disaster risk reduction activities at NESAC and assured that NESAC will continue to provide support and implement the objectives of the MoU. Director, IITM informed that IITM has been in the forefront to set up national level lightning detection network and research and assured that all possible support shall be extended as part of the MoU. Dr S D Pawar, Sr. Scientist from IITM and Dr S S Kundu, Sr. Scientist from NESAC made technical presentations on existing lightning risk reduction initiatives and way forward.
The program concluded with a formal vote of thanks by an ASDMA official.