RONO HILLS, Apr 2: Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) has expanded its scientific exploration capabilities in the domain of atmospheric sciences by collaborative studies.
In the wake of severe weather events like thunderstorm and lightning posing threat to life and property and capable of causing disaster in Arunachal Pradesh due to its mountainous topography and circulation of wind due to south-west monsoon, RGU today signed an MoU with National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), ISRO, Department of Space, Government of India, Hyderabad for “Monitoring & Investigations on lightning phenomena and its associated processes using lightning detection systems (LDS)”.
The RGU-NRSC collaboration aims to study lightning, which has been responsible for loss of life, property, and infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh and neighbouring areas.
The MoU was signed by Dr N Aparna, Deputy Director, Earth & Climate Sciences Area (ECSA) & MSA from the NRSC side, while Registrar Dr N T Rikam did it for Rajiv Gandhi University.
The NRSC has already installed equipment and sensors and data has been collected and tested for quality. The facility is managed by Prof S K Patnaik, Department of Geography from RGU side and Dr Alok Taori from NRSC end.
Dr Rikam, while placing on record the University’s stride in exploring frontiers of science, technology and social sciences, stated that NRSC’s endeavour would bring clarity in understanding lightning in Arunachal Pardesh.
Dr Aparna appreciated RGU’s acceptance of a proposal for cutting edge scientific investigation of atmospheric phenomenon and help the society in the long run.
RGU Vice Chancellor Prof S K Nayak, appreciating the NRSC’s initiative, expected the NRSC to continue to train and educate the students and faculty members to understand such extreme phenomena and get acquainted with modern technology.