International climate office to be set up in Pune

An International climate variability and predictability monsoon project office will come up at the Pune-baded Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), an official said on Wednesday.

The earth sciences ministry informed the union cabinet about the signing of an agreement on February 9 between IITM and World Climate Research Program (WCRP), Geneva for setting up of the centre.

IITM is an autonomous body under the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO), which comes under the earth sciences ministry.

The international climate variability and predictability (CLIVAR) monsoon project office (ICMPO) will be responsible for implementation of intra-seasonal, seasonal and inter-annual variability and predictability of monsoon systems, in close cooperation with relevant WCRP activities and development of a CLIVAR "Research Opportunity" on links between the monsoons and the cryosphere.

"This will help IITM scientists to establish fruitful cooperation with the global community of climate researchers and will lead to better understanding of climate variability and development of climate prediction models that are useful for the global community," the ministry said in a statement.

IITM will provide office space and other required facilities for the ICMPO, salaries and other allowances for three contract scientists, salaries for three secretarial staff and support for official tours etc, the ministry added.