IITM, Pune Celebrates the 80th Independence Day

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune marked India’s 80th Independence Day on 15 August 2026 with a programme that underscored its role in scientific advancement. The Director, Dr Suryachandra Rao, highlighted IITM’s recent initiatives such as the Weather and Climate Innovation for Startups and Entrepreneurs (WICE 2026), the establishment of a dedicated incubation centre, and the Bharat Forecast System’s advances in seasonal, extended‑range and short‑range forecasting, including AI‑enabled products. The institute also showcased its expanding observational infrastructure – the Bharat Climate Observation Network (BCON), urban meteorological stations, lightning and cloud studies, and indigenous low‑cost weather instruments – alongside its high‑performance computing facility Arka. A new Weather Radar Exhibit was inaugurated, and a tree‑plantation drive demonstrated IITM’s commitment to environmental sustainability.