Our team works on two of the most fundamental aspects of nature: weather and water. Human activities and natural cycles interact and create various interconnections and interdependencies that have global socioeconomic implications. Anthropogenic activities, global warming, and associated ocean-atmospheric interactions have caused an unprecedented increase in levels of extreme events such as floods, droughts, marine and land heat waves, etc. Prediction and forecasting of these events are crucial to natural disasters and minimize damage to people and property. Our ongoing research in water resources engineering, meteorological science, and agricultural engineering influences the planning and management of water resources, freshwater accessibility, water and food security, and promoting sustainability.

The AgroClima research team at the Indian Institute of Technology, Palakkad focuses on understanding the complex relationships between climate phenomena and hydrological systems. We use state-of-the-art technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), hydrologic models, and weather forecasting models (such as the Weather Research Forecasting Model) to analyze and model extreme weather events in high resolution. The team evaluates and monitors hydrological variables and climate parameters in real time by combining spatial data and leveraging satellite imagery. Research includes exploring the impacts of climate change on water resources, creating models to assess and quantify current and future risks, and facilitating cross-sector collaboration. The team's findings aim to inform policymakers and stakeholders, promote sustainable water management, and improve technological approaches in the field of agro-hydroclimatic research.

• Physics-aware AI/ML tool for spatiotemporal agricultural drought prediction, 2023-2025.

• Enhancing simulation of hydrological fluxes by using an integrated hydrological model, 2023-2026.

• Development of a River Basin Management Plan for Bharathapuzha, Kerala, 2022-2024.

• Real-Time Air Quality and Weather Monitoring System for IIT Palakkad Campus, 2021-2023.

• Linkage of Large-Scale Ocean-Atmospheric Phenomena on Hydroclimatic Extremes in India, 2019-2022.

• Evaluating practical approaches for farm bacterial testing in support of the FSMA Produce Safety Rules. Alabama Agricultural Experiment Stations, USA, 2016-2018.

• 2 Ph.D. Positions

• 1 MS Position

If you are passionate and dedicated towards research in water and climate studies, please contact me at sarmistha@iitpkd.ac.in.