Dr. Pritam Das, from Agartala, Tripura, has been awarded a PhD by the University of Washington, USA, for his pioneering study on global reservoir operations and their impact on regulated surface water. Son of Sri Manik Lal Das, Dr. Das has developed advanced tools for tracking surface water flow using satellite observations, significantly contributing to global water resource management.
His research has led to the development of the Reservoir Assessment Tool (RAT) 2.0 and the Reservoir Operations driven River Regulation (ResORR) algorithm. These innovations provide scalable solutions for estimating reservoir driven surface water regulation, aiding policymakers and scientists in ensuring sustainable water usage. During the devastating Tripura floods of August 21–22, 2024, Dr. Das, and his team at SASWE developed RAT-Tripura with 72 hours of relentless effort upon learning about the crisis from his mother. The tool is now publicly available on the University of Washington’s platform.
Expressing his commitment to societal well-being, Dr. Das aims to further research the adverse impacts of reservoirs and develop advanced early warning systems. His dedication to using scientific advancements for disaster preparedness underscores his mission to protect communities from future water-related catastrophes.
His achievements bring pride to Tripura and serve as an inspiration for young researchers dedicated to solving global challenges through scientific innovation.
