GENERAL INFORMATION FOR PARTICIPANTS
Background:
The fifteenth session of South Asian Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF-15) and Climate Services User Forum (CSUF) will be hosted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) during 24-25 September 2019 at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. The event is supported by the UK Met Office (UKMO) and Regional Integrated Multi-hazard Early-warning System for Asia and Africa (RIMES) through funds available under Asia Regional Resilience to a Changing Climate (ARRCC) Programme.
SASCOF-15 will produce a consensus climate outlook for the upcoming winter season (October- February) and share with sectorial user agencies at national and regional level. SASCOF-15 will feature a “Climate Services User Forum” (CSUF) focused on the Water and Agriculture sector.
The Regional Climate Center (RCC), Pune of India Meteorological Department (IMD), UK Met Office (UKMO), Regional Integrated Multi-hazard Early-warning System for Asia and Africa (RIMES) and WMO (World Meteorological Organization) shall provide technical support. Other Global Producing Centers (GPCs) and RCCs are expected to participate for contributing their seasonal and sub-seasonal products.
Venue and Hotel Accommodation:
The SASCOF-15 & CSUF event will be held at the conference hall of Hotel Hycinth, Trivandrum from 24 to 25 September 2019. The accommodations for international participants are arranged at the same venue. For sponsored participants, the hotel accommodation will be directly paid by the organizers covering the period 22-27 September 2019 according to their travel schedules. Breakfast is included in the room tariff, and tea/coffee, lunch will be provided at the conference venue.
Participants can have dinner at “Cafe Jade” located in the ground floor of hotel or nearby restaurants at their own cost. Any additional expenses incurred during stay at the hotel will have to be borne by the participants themselves.
Hotel Information
The Hotel Hycinth is about 6 km far from Trivandrum International Airport, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India and it takes about 20-30 minutes to reach the hotel by car at normal traffic condition. The detail of the hotel is as follows:
Hotel HYCINTH
Trivandrum
Manorama Road, Thampanoor
Trivandrum – 695 001. INDIA
Tel: +91 (471) 666 2999
Fax: +91 (471) 233 4343
Mobile: +91 94000 00734
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.hycinthhotels.com
Entry Visa Requirement
Except Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal nationals, all other foreigners require visa to enter into and stay in India. International participants are kindly requested to inquire about visa requirements from the Consulates/Embassies/High Commission of India in their respective countries. It is important to take advance action for obtaining visas, as there could be significant waiting periods for scheduling appointments for visa applications in some countries. Availability of online visa could be check through official website of the Bureau of Immigration, India (https://boi.gov.in/ )
Directions
Trivandrum International Airport (IATA: TRV) with direct flights from the Middle East, Singapore, Maldives, Sri Lanka as well as seasonal charter flights to Europe. It is linked with many major cities in India by domestic flights. The airport is located nearly 6 Km from the workshop venue.
Reception on Arrival
Airport pick-up and drop off will be arranged for sponsored participants by the Hotel Hycinth. All participants are requested to inform the Local Coordinator about their arrival details. Self-supported participants can take a taxi from the counters inside the arrival hall or could arrange with the hotel.
Computer and Internet Access:
The meeting/conference rooms will have internet and Wi-Fi facilities. Limited access to Computers will be provided to the participants for the practical sessions, therefore participants are strongly encouraged to bring their own Wi-Fi/Ethernet-ready laptop computers. Internet access/Wi-Fi is complimentary at the hotel.
ELECTRICITY:
The mains supply in India is 220 V (50Hz). An adapter with an appropriate universal plug may be needed to use electrical appliances. In India, the power plugs and sockets are of type C, D and M.
Local Weather
Thiruvananthapuram is a city along the west coast of India and lying on the windward side of the Western Ghats, receives copious rainfall during southwest monsoon season. September marks the end of the southwest monsoon season in Kerala. Average high/low temperatures range from 31 degrees Celsius (~88 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day, to 24 degrees Celsius (76 degrees Fahrenheit) at night in September. The weather is mostly humid in September; with a mean monthly rainfall of 183 mm, Relative humidity varies between about 85% and 75% at this time of the year in Thiruvananthapuram.
Currency and Credit Cards
Local currency is Indian Rupee (INR). Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners cards are accepted in major establishments, but cash transactions are the norm in most places. Always verify what cards are accepted by any business before trying to use one. Many businesses post on the entrance door or in other conspicuous areas which cards are accepted. If uncertain, verify from business staff.
Most banks in the area also have ATMs, which normally operate for 24 hours. Stand-alone ATMs can also be found at several locations around the city. Banks will also cash Traveller’s Cheques although you will probably need to show some identification, such as a passport. The exchange rates from U.S. Dollar to Indian Rupee as of 23rd August 2019 is 1$= 71.69 ₹
Time Zone
The Indian Standard Time is UTC+5.30, and there is no daylight saving concept.
Local Organizing Committee:
For any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact the following personnel:
Contacts:
A. IMD, India
Dr. Divya E. Surendran
Scientist C
Climate Prediction Group Climate Research &Services India Meteorological Department Shivajinagar, Pune - 411005.
Maharashtra, India .
Phone (O) +91-020-25572213
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Dr. D. S. PAI
Head, Climate Research & Services Head, RCC, Pune
India Meteorological Department, Shivajinagar Pune – 411005, India E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Mob: +919422313758
Phone (O) +91-020-25535877 Fax: +91 20 25535435
B. RIMES
Ms. Dusadee Moya
HR and Admin
Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES)
Asian Institute of Technology campus
PO Box 4 Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120
Thailand
T: +662 516 5900-01
F: +662 516 5902
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Dr. G. Srinivasan
Chief Scientist/Climate Applications
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Dr. Anshul Agarwal
Team Leader, Hydrology
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Mr. Mitesh Sawant
Project Officer
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
C. WMO
Mr. Wilfran Moufouma Okia
Chief, World Climate Applications & Services Division (WCAS) Climate Prediction and Adaptation Branch (CLPA)
Climate and Water Department (CLW)
WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION
7bis, Avenue de la Paix Case Postale No. 2300
CH-1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland Fax: +41-22-730-8042
Phone: +41-22-730-8377
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
About the ARRCC Programme and SCIPSA project, please coordinate with
Mr. Francis Colledge,
Senior Consultant, SCIPSA Technical Coordinator MET OFFICE, Fitroy
Road, Exeter, EX1 3PB. United Kingdom
Tel: +44(0)7393762475
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
D. Hotel Hycinth
Parthan
Asst. Manager Sales & Marketing
Manorama Road, Thampanoor, Trivandrum - 695 001,
KERALA, INDIA.
Mobile: +91 9400000747
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.