Why is it in the news?

• The Minister of Earth Sciences inaugurated the first phase of the Atmospheric Research Testbed in Central India (ART-CI) located in Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh.

More about the news

• The primary objective of ART-CI is to enhance understanding of cloud systems, land-atmospheric interactions, and the tracking of low-pressure systems and depressions.
• Data collected from the testbed facility will be assimilated and utilized to improve weather forecasts and predictions.
• Approximately 25 advanced instruments have been installed at the facility, including aethalometer for aerosol studies; cloud condensation nuclei counter; laser ceilometer to measure cloud sizes; and micro rain radar for calculating raindrop size and distribution.