Dr. K J Ramesh has over 40 years of academic, R & D and professional service in the field of weather, climate and disaster risk management in India.  Before joining the Regional Integrated Multihazard Early Warning System (RIMES) in 2020 as Advisor, South Asia Hydromet Forum, he served as Director General to the India Meteorological Department and the Permanent Representative and Member Executive Council of WMO during 2016-19. 

He has actively led and engaged in: 

• Atmospheric Science Services and Climate Change Research Programme Development at the Ministry of Earth Sciences
• Multi Hazard Mitigation Framework Development at the Department of Science & Technology
• Cyclone and Flood Hazard Mitigation for Godavari, Krishna Rivers and Operations of Dams and reservoirs (World Bank Funded Activity) as Head, Disaster Management Unit, Government of Andhra Pradesh
• Served as a Member of the Indian Delegation for UNFCCC Negotiations on climate change   related issues (2008-2016)
• Served as Member Core Groups, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for the Development of Guidelines in respect of Cyclones; Floods; Disaster Communication

He has published over 50 papers in various national and international journals.