Renowned tropical meteorologist Prof. Uma Charan Mohanty delivered a compelling CEOAS Special Lecture on November 2, 2026, focusing on forecasting Bay of Bengal (BoB) tropical cyclones.
Traditionally, BoB countries suffered heavy casualties from cyclones despite lower annual frequencies than the tropical Pacific, driven by vulnerability factors like high coastal population density, funnel-shaped geography, sparse observations, and limited technological capacity. However, advanced observational networks (e.g., radars and buoys), high-performance computing, and high-resolution mesoscale modeling have revolutionized the field. Forecasters can now predict cyclone tracks, landfalls, and storm surges with state-of-the-art precision. Key remaining challenges include improving intensity forecasts and translating scientific data into actionable early warnings for zero-casualty disaster management.
The seminar attracted faculty, PhD and Masters and undergraduate students from various schools, and stimulated an active post-seminar discussion.
About Prof. U. C. Mohanty: Prof. Mohanty earned his Ph.D. from the Hydrometeorological Center of Russia (1978) and is a pioneer in numerical weather prediction, monsoon dynamics, and climate modeling. He has built a distinguished career serving as a professor and head at IIT Delhi, helping establish atmospheric and ocean sciences at IIT Bhubaneswar, and currently serving as a Distinguished Professor at SOA-DU. His ground-breaking research on extreme weather has earned him prestigious accolades, including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, fellowships across India’s three premier science academies, and the Sir Gilbert Walker Gold Medal.