IN CONVERSATION WITH DR L S RATHORE

Former Director General, India Meteorological Department Veteran Agrometeorologist | WMO Executive Council Member

 

Dr. L.S. Rathore is the former Director General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and a distinguished agrometeorologist with decades of experience in climate science and its applications in agriculture. 

He has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed research papers, contributed to 11 books, and written 41 book chapters. A mentor to many, he has co-supervised five Ph.D. scholars from premier institutions including the Indian Institute of Technology (Delhi), Guru Jambheshwar University (Hisar), Andhra University (Visakhapatnam), and Banaras Hindu University (Varanasi).

Dr. Rathore has also served as Vice President of the Commission for Agricultural Meteorology of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and currently serves on the WMO Executive Council in an individual capacity, bringing Indian expertise to the global stage.

With his rare blend of strategic insight and grassroots understanding, Dr. Rathore known for his scientific depth and practical expertise, Dr. Rathore has played a critical role in advancing climate-resilient agriculture in India, bridging the gap between meteorological research and field-level implementation.

GNY LIVE Heat VS Crops: The Battle Begins

Heatwaves are no longer climate anomalies; they are the new normal. As India enters an era of prolonged, intense, and unpredictable thermal extremes, its rural backbone is showing signs of distress. In this episode of Death by Fahrenheit, the conversation journeys through sun-scorched deserts, struggling farms, and overheated cowsheds to unravel the real-world consequences of rising temperatures. With reflections rooted in lived experience and field-based expertise, the episode unpacks how surging heat is redefining the rules of agriculture and livestock management across India[1]. From disrupted physiology of field crops to faltering milk yields, from failing fruit orchards to overheated poultry farms, the story of rural India in a warming world is told through science, empathy, and shocking hard-earned wisdom. This dialogue calls for rethinking climate responses, investing in early warnings, and rediscovering the strength of indigenous systems.

Read more