Hydroclimatology Research Lab

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The climate change has become one of the greatest concerns for the civilized society in the present time. The Hydroclimatology Research Lab undertakes the research and development in the field of climate change mitigation and sustainable development. The Lab is established in 2018 with the support of INR 16.7 Lakhs from Department of Science and Technology, Scientific and Engineering Research Board, Government of India. The aim was to observe the impact of urbanization on local monsoon onset for the major urban centres of the country. 

To safeguard the environment for posterity through innovative climate change research, effective teamwork and mentorship upholding professionalism and ethical standards.

To steer research and development activities in the field of climate change science to generate new knowledge towards policy design through a transdisciplinary approach, with an ultimate goal to achieve sustainable development.

Sponsored Research Projects

• Evaluation of monsoonal urban heat island and its effect on local monsoon onset and heavy rainfall climatology over Indian summer monsoon (PI : Dr. Hiteshri Shastri) Department of Science and Technology, Government of India Ongoing, 2018-2021, 16.7 Lakhs. 
• Improving Global Forecast System of Extreme Events with Regional Statistical Model: Application of Quantile based Probabilistic Forecasts (PI : Dr. Hiteshri Shastri, Co-PI : Dr. Ritesh Patel) National Atmospheric Research Laboratory,  Andra Pradesh, ISRO Submitted, Feb-2019, 46 Lakhs. 
• Obtaining Experimental Real Time Precipitation Forecast with the Help of Weather Research and Forecasting Model (PI : Dr. Hiteshri Shastri, Co-PI : Dr. Ritesh Patel, Investigator : Ms. Pooja Parekh), CHARUSAT Submitted, July-2019, 9.6 Lakhs. 
• Replacing plactic pens with eco-friendly plantable seed pens at CHARUSAT campus  (PI : Dr. Hiteshri Shastri, Co-PI : Ms. Kirti Makwana) CHARUSAT Ongoing, September 2019 to February 2019, 0.75 Lakhs. Assessment of Ground Water Availability and depletion  of Ground Water table in the state of Gujarat, PI : Dr. Amit Thakkar Co-PI : Hiteshri Shastri, Investigator : Mr. Nirav Bhatt,  CHARUSAT Under preparation. 

The lab also undertakes propagation of the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the laboratory course on SDG Handprint action lab. 

Running Climate Models on Cloud: Development of WRF one click installation interface for cloud application

• Name of student:  Kushan Mehta (17DCS030)
• Co- guided by:  Dr. Ritesh Patel    Duration : May- June 2018
• Obtaining Experimental Weather Forecast Using WRF Model
• Name of student:  Param Sanghani (16CE106)
• Co- guided by: Dr. Ritesh Patel    Duration : May- June 2019

Developing an experimental real time statistical weather forecast system

• Name of student:  Urvish Talaviya (16CE106)
• Co- guided by: Dr. Dharmendra Patel   Duration : May- June 2019

An analysis of groundwater sustainability at Kaprada taluka, Valsad (Gujarat) using Satellite data and GIS

• Name of student:  Shivangee Gajjar (16cl018) Duration : Jan-Feb 2020

Developing a GIS based COVID 19 information system for the major urban centres of Gujarat

• Name of student:  Prince Makwana (16CE106), Arjun Rupavatia (17IT098),
• Co- guided by: Prof. Mrudang Pandya   Duration : April – May 2020

• Short Term Training Program on “Capacity Building for Interdisciplinary Research on Climate Change”, 03-08 December, 2018. Grant Sanctioned: INR 1,00,000/- Science and Engineering Research Board, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, INR 30,000/- Gujarat Council of Science and Technology, Government of India.
• One Day workshop on “Towards Climate Resilient India”, July 31, 2018 by Dr. Auroop Ganguly, Professor, Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Director, Sustainability and Data Sciences Laboratory, Northeastern University, Boston, USA
• “One Day Workshop on Climate Change and Environmental Benefits from Space Observations” by Dr. Deepak Mishra, Associate Professor, University of Georgia, USA on 28th December, 2017.
• Endowment chair activity, visiting professor, Dr. Deepak Mishra, from University of Georgia, USA, December 26-30, 2017.
• Endowment chair activity, visiting professor, Dr. Auroop Ganguly, Professor, Dept. of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Director, Sustainability and Data Sciences Laboratory, Northeastern University, Boston, USA, July 31-Aug. 04, 2018.

1. Understand development of urban heat island and access the effect of urbanization on local monsoon and urban precipitation extremes
2. Integrated water resource development for agriculture and land management for sustainability
3. Integrated statistical-numerical modelling of coupled human-natural systems
4. Support decision making with efficient extreme weather forecast 
5. Promote approach to sustainable climate solutions
6. Foster partnerships and networks that build capacity in addressing climate change
7. Inspire the students to pursue climate problems-solution

In order to meet these objectives the lab undertakes transitioning towards transdisciplinary science to promote the incubation of innovative ideas and tools through strategic integrative projects in the field of environmental and climate sciences.

The Lab continues to engage with other recognized scientific teams and research institutions at global, national and regional levels. Some of the laboratories working closely in the research areas of focus of the Hydroclimatology laboratory are listed below.

• ESRI –Arc GIS Software
• HPZ6GLI Workstation
• HP 450 G5 Notebook
• HP M1136 Printer
• APC 1 KVA UPS
• HP MULTI PRINTER AL0 DESKJET GT 319
• HP 280 G3 MT PC

Ms. Hemangi Oza