Session Chair

Extreme Events, Climate Change and Aerosols Measurement in Himalayas: Observations, Impacts, and Future Projections.

Dr. Amit Awasthi, PhD, from Thapar University, Patiala, has over 18 years of experience in Research & Development and Teaching. Currently, he is an Associate Professor at the School of Advanced Engineering, UPES.

Specializing in Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, Dr. Awasthi focuses on air monitoring, exposure studies, extreme events, water quality, and climate change. He received an International Fellowship from the National Science Council-Taiwan and a research grant from UCOST-Dehradun.

Dr. Awasthi has edited books for publishers like Taylor & Francis, Elsevier, and Springer, authored four textbooks, and published over 50 research papers with an h-index of 17 and around 1300 citations. He has also guest-edited special issues for several journals.

Known for his strong interpersonal skills, Dr. Awasthi excels in research and teaching, developing curricula to enhance student learning, and mentoring faculty and students effectively.

This session aims to unite researchers and practitioners to discuss advancements in aerosol measurements, climate change, and extreme weather events in the Himalayan region. The focus is on understanding the interactions among aerosols, climate change, and extreme weather, and exploring sustainable environmental management and disaster preparedness strategies.

Key topics include innovative aerosol measurement techniques, spatial and temporal variability of aerosols, and their long-term trends. Discussions will address the role of aerosols in regional climate change, their impact on glaciers and snowpack, and their interactions with atmospheric processes. The session will also explore the link between aerosol variability and extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall and glacial lake outburst floods, featuring case studies and mitigation strategies. Future projections, climate models, emission reduction policies, and community adaptation strategies will be highlighted. Contributions from climatologists, atmospheric scientists, environmental engineers, geographers, and policymakers are encouraged.