From Science to Impact: Women Shaping Climate Resilience in South Asia
Hydrometeorology, the science of weather and water, is critical in a region where climate change amplifies the risks of extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and cyclones. Traditionally male-dominated, the field is witnessing a transformative wave of female professionals breaking the barriers into hydromet.
Across South Asia, women professionals are not only breaking barriers but also driving meaningful change in climate services and early warning systems. This feature highlights the journeys of four remarkable women—Dr. Shiromani Jayawardena, Dr. Mandira Singh Shrestha, Puja Shakya, and Kousalya Kumar—who are leading efforts to strengthen climate resilience in the region. Their stories exemplify the vital role of women in translating science into action, ensuring that hydrometeorological advancements benefit communities at risk.
Pioneering Sri Lanka’s Meteorological Advancements
For over 25 years, Dr. Shiromani Jayawardena has been at the forefront of Sri Lanka’s meteorological advancements. Now an Advisor for Weather and Climate Services at SAHF, she has played a key role in developing climate forecasting systems and meteorological research.
“When I joined the Department of Meteorology in Sri Lanka, I knew little about the field. But as I delved deeper, I discovered a world of mysteries in weather and climate phenomena—it was challenging yet fascinating,” she recalls.
In 2013, she introduced seasonal forecasting to Sri Lanka’s Meteorological Department after attending the South Asian Climate Outlook Forum. By 2016, she collaborated with RIMES to develop climate projections using CMIP5 data, strengthening national climate resilience.
Her leadership extended beyond forecasting. As Deputy Director for Research and Climate Change (2015) and later as Director of the National Weather Center (2020), she led Sri Lanka’s meteorological operations through major challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring accurate weather services during critical times. One of the notable achievements was the timely forecasting of Cyclonic Storm Burevi, which made landfall over Sri Lanka—an event of significance, as the country had not experienced a cyclone landfall in 20 years. This forecast earned recognition from both the government and media, enabling authorities to enhance disaster preparedness and implement timely preventive measures.
Despite these successes, Dr. Shiromani faced significant hurdles as one of only two female meteorologists in her department when she started. Over the years, she has witnessed a positive shift, with female representation in Sri Lanka’s meteorological workforce rising from 8% to 40%.
“Women bring unique skills to the field, particularly in translating scientific data into actionable information for last-mile communities. We empathize, communicate, and engage differently, making early warning systems more effective,” she emphasizes.
Bringing Science and People in Hydrology
A civil engineer by training, Dr. Mandira Singh Shrestha has dedicated her career to understanding and managing water resources, with expertise in hydrology, hydraulics, climate services, and disaster risk reduction. After working with ICIMOD until December 2024, she is now engaged with Water Centre 21 Pahal, a Nepal-based organization focused on water resource management.
As the only woman in a class of 120 during her undergraduate studies, Dr. Mandira navigated a male-dominated space with resilience. “I loved working with numbers, and my fascination with water led me to hydrology. Being the only woman didn’t discourage me—it pushed me to adapt and excel,” she shares.
She strongly believes that more women should enter the field of hydrology and meteorology. Although the representation of women has improved since her college days, it remains low. She notes a positive shift, citing examples like Bhutan, where she witnessed an increase in women engineers over the years. She attributes this change to evolving mindsets and the creation of opportunities that encourage women's participation.
Dr. Mandira has championed gender-inclusive approaches in disaster risk management. Her research at ICIMOD focused on integrating gender perspectives into early warning systems to ensure climate information reaches the most vulnerable—women, children, and marginalized communities.
“Disasters impact everyone. If early warning systems are to be truly effective, they must be inclusive. Women play a crucial role in ensuring this information reaches all sectors of society,” she asserts.
She encourages young women to pursue careers in hydrology and climate sciences, highlighting both professional growth and societal impact. “It’s a win-win career—where your work not only provides a livelihood but also helps protect communities.”
Bridging Science and Community for Effective Early Warning Systems
Puja Shakya, RIMES’s Country Program Lead in Nepal, is at the forefront of strengthening early warning systems and disaster preparedness. Her expertise lies in impact forecasting, protocol development, and ensuring climate information translates into community-level action.
Puja Shakya addresses the Sindhupalchowk District Disaster Management Committee during the training on Protection against Lightning in 2024
“I work with diverse communities, so I have to be innovative. My role involves managing expectations across local governments, national meteorological agencies, and stakeholders. Every day, I think of new ways to improve project implementation and coordination,” Puja explains.
Her passion for early warning systems grew as she realized the critical role of weather forecasts in protecting lives and livelihoods. “I preferred working in the field over laboratories, and I knew I wanted to focus on disaster management and early warning systems,” she recounts.
Despite the underrepresentation of women in hydrometeorology, Puja highlights their crucial contributions. “The biggest challenge is ensuring that technical knowledge doesn’t remain confined to institutions but reaches the people who need it most. Women, especially, excel in bridging this gap, ensuring communities understand and act on forecasts.”
Her dedication to fostering collaboration among forecast producers and users continues to enhance Nepal’s disaster resilience, making early warning systems more inclusive and effective.
Managing Hydromet Progress Across South Asia
Unlike many who set out to build a career in hydrometeorology, Kousalya Kumar found herself in the field by chance—but stayed by choice. Initially she worked as a project intern for the project, “Developing Capacities for Effective Climate Services Delivery in Bhutan”, at RIMES, where she now manages the South Asia Hydromet Forum (SAHF), an initiative aimed at enhancing hydrometeorological services in nine South Asian countries.
“I believe in the impact of SAHF. While we don’t always work directly in the field, hearing success stories—like how the Forecasters’ Forum helped an NMHS improve predictions during extreme weather—keeps me motivated,” she shares.
As a Program Manager, Kousalya oversees planning, resource management, and execution across five thematic areas: impact-based forecasting, numerical weather prediction, observation networks, capacity enhancement, and hydrology.
“Getting to this point was quite difficult, especially working in South Asia as a woman. It takes double the effort to gain trust and prove that you can manage and lead in this field,” she acknowledges. “What helped me navigate this through are my managerial and interpersonal skills, being present, and having a lot of mentorships.”
She believes women bring invaluable skills to hydrometeorology, particularly in communication, networking, and innovation. “Hydromet can be highly technical and routine-driven, but women introduce creativity, new perspectives, and a stronger focus on behavioral aspects—how forecasts influence action.”
Paving the Way for Future Generations
The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES), through initiatives like SAHF, is actively encouraging greater participation of women in the field. By fostering regional collaboration, capacity-building, and leadership opportunities, RIMES and SAHF are creating pathways for women to take on influential roles in hydrometeorology and disaster risk reduction.
Dr. Shiromani, Dr. Mandira, Puja, and Kousalya have each carved unique paths in hydrometeorology, yet their journeys converge in a shared commitment to advancing climate resilience and disaster preparedness in South Asia. Their leadership exemplifies the critical role of women in shaping climate science and underscores the need for diverse perspectives in tackling global challenges.
Their successes demonstrate that hydrometeorology is not just a technical field—it is a space where innovation, collaboration, and empathy drive meaningful change. For aspiring young professionals, especially women, the field offers abundant opportunities to contribute to both scientific progress and community well-being. As Dr. Mandira aptly put it, a career in hydrometeorology is a 'win-win'—one that blends professional fulfillment with a lasting impact on society. #