iRAD 2026 begins at Gauhati University

Guwahati, January 7, 2026: The eighth Conference on India Radar Meteorology (iRAD 2026), an international academic meet with a rotating annual theme, began at Gauhati University this week. Being hosted in the North-East for the first time, the conference this year focussing on the role of radar meteorology in understanding weather systems over mountainous terrain.

The programme commenced on January 6 with the inauguration of the RADAR School, an academic component of the conference. The opening session was attended by M Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India and Soma Sen Roy, Head of the RADAR Division, India Meteorological Department.

The conference was formally inaugurated on January 7 at the PD Hall of the University with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by a welcome address by B N Goswami. Addressing the inaugural session, Vice-Chancellor Nani Gopal Mahanta reiterated the growing importance of technology in understanding environmental challenges and managing weather-related risks. He also highlighted the role of universities in advancing research, innovation and institutional collaboration.

The inaugural session featured addresses by the Guests of Honour S P Aggarwal, Director, North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) and S S Kakatkar, Programme Director, Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineering and Research (SAMEER). Dr Aggarwal drew attention to changing weather patterns in Assam and the wider North-East, pointing to shifts in winter conditions, rising humidity and temperatures and the region’s high dependence on the monsoon. He noted that irregular rainfall and recurrent floods continue to pose serious challenges to the agriculture-based economy.

During the inaugural session, the Book of Abstracts of iRAD 2026 was released. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Utpal Sarma, Registrar of the University.

The conference will continue over the next few days with keynote lectures, technical sessions and discussions involving scientists and researchers from India and abroad, focusing on radar meteorology, weather monitoring and disaster preparedness, particularly in complex terrains.