logo
Shifting of Atmospheric Sciences dept. to main Cusat campus opposed

Shifting of Atmospheric Sciences dept. to main Cusat campus opposed

The Hindu17-07-2025
A section of the faculty, students, and alumni of the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) has opposed the move to shift the department from the Lakeside (Marine) campus in the city to the university's main campus in Thrikkakara.
They said the strength of the programme lies in its natural and necessary integration with other Earth Science disciplines such as Physical Oceanography and Geology, which were housed on the Marine campus. The university authorities revealed the decision was taken because the lab and radar facilities required for the course were located on the main campus.
Former students had urged the authorities not to shift the department, stating that Meteorology was not a stand-alone subject. Its strength lay in its integration with allied Earth Science fields. Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences were inherently interconnected, particularly in understanding large-scale systems such as climate change, monsoons, and weather prediction. They said separating these disciplines across campuses would fragment the curriculum and weaken research collaborations.
The authorities pointed out that the decision to shift the department from the lakeside campus to the main campus had been taken on the basis of a recommendation by a subcommittee of the Syndicate. They said a major research facility like the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research (ACARR) was located on the main campus. The shifting had been suggested to ease the woes that arose from carrying out various departmental functions from two campuses. The integration would resolve the problem, they added.
Those opposing the relocation pointed out that the radar centre primarily served as a data collection centre and that the analysis of atmospheric data could be done remotely from anywhere in the world.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Shifting of Atmospheric Sciences dept. to main Cusat campus opposed
Shifting of Atmospheric Sciences dept. to main Cusat campus opposed

The Hindu

time17-07-2025

  • The Hindu

Shifting of Atmospheric Sciences dept. to main Cusat campus opposed

A section of the faculty, students, and alumni of the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) has opposed the move to shift the department from the Lakeside (Marine) campus in the city to the university's main campus in Thrikkakara. They said the strength of the programme lies in its natural and necessary integration with other Earth Science disciplines such as Physical Oceanography and Geology, which were housed on the Marine campus. The university authorities revealed the decision was taken because the lab and radar facilities required for the course were located on the main campus. Former students had urged the authorities not to shift the department, stating that Meteorology was not a stand-alone subject. Its strength lay in its integration with allied Earth Science fields. Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences were inherently interconnected, particularly in understanding large-scale systems such as climate change, monsoons, and weather prediction. They said separating these disciplines across campuses would fragment the curriculum and weaken research collaborations. The authorities pointed out that the decision to shift the department from the lakeside campus to the main campus had been taken on the basis of a recommendation by a subcommittee of the Syndicate. They said a major research facility like the Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research (ACARR) was located on the main campus. The shifting had been suggested to ease the woes that arose from carrying out various departmental functions from two campuses. The integration would resolve the problem, they added. Those opposing the relocation pointed out that the radar centre primarily served as a data collection centre and that the analysis of atmospheric data could be done remotely from anywhere in the world.

Kanjirappally taps technology for disaster preparedness
Kanjirappally taps technology for disaster preparedness

The Hindu

time22-06-2025

  • The Hindu

Kanjirappally taps technology for disaster preparedness

With landslides and flash floods on the rise due to extreme rainfall events, the eastern high ranges of Kottayam are gearing up for a tech-enabled defence by installing rain gauges to establish an early warning system to improve disaster preparedness. As part of this initiative, the Wayanad-based Hume Centre for Ecology and Wildlife Biology has begun a preliminary study to identify the most vulnerable zones within the Kanjirappally Block. According to officials, rain gauges will be installed in these areas to monitor rainfall trends and assess the risk of potential landslides and floods. 'The project also includes detailed mapping of the region, dividing it into 2.5-sq.-km grids based on rainfall data. This grid-based approach will help pinpoint disaster-prone areas and support the development of focused mitigation and preparedness plans,' they said. With precipitation levels regularly exceeding that of neighbouring regions, the Kanjirappaly region is susceptible to climate change-induced hazards. Officials have identified the hill tracts of Vagamon, Kootickal, Enthayar, Elamkadu, Koruthodu and Kanamala as priority zones where the risk of cloudbursts and landslides is especially high. A couple of weeks ago, the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), and the Environmental Resources Research Centre (ERRC) joined forces to deploy an automated landslide warning system in the region. Supported by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of ISRO, three Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) have been set up in Theekoy, Poonjar Thekkekara, and Moonnilavu panchayats, all located within the Meenachil river basin. These AWS units continuously track key environmental parameters such as wind speed, humidity, temperature, rainfall, soil moisture, and soil temperature. The real-time data is transmitted to servers at CUSAT, where it is analysed for early signs of potential disasters.

Subhash Park's trees save Kochi lakhs a year, finds Cusat study
Subhash Park's trees save Kochi lakhs a year, finds Cusat study

Time of India

time15-06-2025

  • Time of India

Subhash Park's trees save Kochi lakhs a year, finds Cusat study

Kochi: The 339 trees at Subhash Bose Park in the heart of Kochi, play a crucial role in improving air quality by removing nearly 124.8kg of air pollutants annually. Without these trees, residents would require air purifiers in at least 150 homes, according to a recent study. While air purifiers can remove allergens, dust, pollen, smoke, and other pollutants, they are expensive and require regular maintenance — unlike trees, which provide long-term environmental benefits for ages. The study, titled "A Comprehensive Study of Subhash Park and Projected Benefits for Queen's Way Urban Expansion," was conducted by the School of Environmental Studies at Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) in collaboration with the Nansen (India). It stresses the importance of enhancing green cover in the few remaining open spaces in Kochi. The study quantifies the many environmental benefits trees offer, including air purification, carbon sequestration, stormwater mitigation, energy savings, and health cost reduction. According to the findings, residents in and around the park can save nearly Rs 3.74 lakh annually in healthcare costs due to improved air quality and lower exposure to pollutants. The study also highlights how trees mitigate the urban heat island effect by cooling the surrounding area. This cooling reduces the energy needed for indoor air conditioning in nearby buildings, especially during summer months. The park's canopy helps nearby buildings save about 13,400 kWh of electricity annually by lowering indoor temperatures. In addition, the park's dense tree cover acts as a natural barrier during heavy rainfall, reducing runoff and helping prevent urban flooding. This benefit translates to savings of nearly Rs 1.80 lakh per year in drainage infrastructure costs for the local authorities. "Given the multifaceted benefits, including public health, carbon sequestration, flood risk mitigation and groundwater recharge as pointed out in the study, urban planners must prioritise the integration of green cover in high-risk zones like hospitals, clinics, and schools. Green corridors and trees in these zones can strengthen health resilience, especially in climate-vulnerable regions like Kochi, which is facing intense heat in summer and flooding in monsoon," said Sravan Shaji, the author of the study. Dr Giby Kuriakose, assistant professor of Botany department in SH college Thevara said trees play multiple roles for ecosystem. "Trees reduce pollutants and there are a lot of native species the leaves of which even traps dust in the air. In the case of Subash Park, authorities can utilise it to raise native species to create awareness on it." The study was conducted jointly by Sravan Shaji of Cusat and Dr Bindu G of Nansen Environmental Research Centre. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store