Theme 1 - Empowering Regional Solutions through Earth Observation

From Satellites to Safety: Real-Time Weather Nowcasting, Sea-State Analysis, and Disaster Risk Monitoring for Southeast Asia

Dr. Rajasekhar Meka

Scientist-SG / Chief Meteorologist, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India

Biography

Dr. Rajasekhar Meka is a senior Earth Observation and Space Science professional with over two decades of experience leading multidisciplinary teams in space launch meteorology and environmental intelligence. He holds a Ph.D. in Meteorology and Oceanography from Andhra University and is an alumnus of the International Space University (ISU).

At ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Dr. Rajasekhar heads mission‑critical meteorological operations, providing advanced weather and Earth observation (EO) support for over 95 space launches. His expertise covers early warning systems, numerical weather prediction (NWP), SAR and optical remote sensing, lightning detection and nowcasting, and space‑based ocean state and coastal hazard analysis.

A pioneer in integrating multi‑hazard early warning systems and satellite‑derived forecasting tools, he has contributed significantly to disaster risk mitigation and climate resilience in coastal regions. His work emphasizes the use of EO, AI, and integrated sensing technologies to enhance national capacity for sustainable development and societal preparedness.

Committed to international collaboration and science outreach, Dr. Rajasekhar actively contributes to global dialogues on how space technology and meteorology can together foster a safer and more resilient future.