New Delhi, Nov. 24: To develop a wide range of state-of-the-art atmospheric observation systems for the acquisition of real-time data, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the continuation of umbrella schemes ‘ACROSS’ and ‘O-SMART’ for the next five years at an estimated cost of Rs 2135 crore and and Rs 2177 crore respectively.
The objective of these schemes is to provide improved weather, climate, ocean forecast and services, and other hazard-related services to ensure transfer of commensurate benefits to the end-user
The Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS) scheme and the Ocean Services, Modelling, Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART) are being implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
The ACROSS is implemented through the India Meteorological Department (IMD), National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS). Whereas the OSMART is implemented through National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Center for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE), and National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), as well as involving other national institutes.
ACROSS pertains to the ministry’s atmospheric science programmes and addresses different aspects of weather and climate services. Each of these aspects is incorporated as eight sub-schemes under the umbrella scheme ‘ACROSS’ and is implemented in an integrated manner through the four agencies.
The objective of the scheme is to provide improved weather, climate, ocean forecast and services, and other hazard-related services to ensure transfer of commensurate benefits to the end-user.
The ACROSS has eight sub-schemes and are multi disciplinary in nature and will be implemented in an integrated manner through IMD, IITM, NCMRWF and INCOIS to cover all the aspects of the weather and climate.
The ACROSS is primarily aimed to provide improved weather, climate, ocean forecast and services, and other hazard related services thereby ensuring transfer of commensurate benefits through various services like Public weather service, Agro-meteorological Services, Aviation services, Environmental monitoring services, Hydro-meteorological services, climate services, tourism, pilgrimage, power generation, water management, Sports & adventure etc.
“The whole process from generation of forecast to its delivery requires considerable manpower at every stage, thereby generating employment opportunities for many people,” the PIB note explained.
Whereas the O-SMART is aimed at developing a wide range of state-of-the-art ocean observation systems for the acquisition of real-time data from the seas around India.
The O-SMART scheme also aimed at promoting oceanographic research activities in a big way with the objectives for providing forecast and services based on the continuous observation of our oceans, development of technologies and exploratory surveys for sustainable harnessing of our oceanic resources (both living and non-living) and promotion of front-ranking research in ocean sciences.
“A fleet of oceanographic and coastal research vessels of the Ministry provide required research support for the scheme,” the note said.
The note further added that in the next five years (2021-26) this scheme would provide further comprehensive coverage through strengthening the ongoing activities towards delivering cutting edge technology applicable for marine domain, forecast and warning services to various coastal stake holders, understanding biodiversity towards conservation strategy for marine living organisms and understanding coastal processes.
Over the years, the O-SMART has helped the country to achieve significant strides in the field of oceanography. “The observation network yields ocean forecast services for potential fishing ground and neutral coastal hazards warning for storm surge associated with cyclone and Tsunami to stakeholders at nations levels as well as neighbouring countries. A state-of-the-art early warning system for oceanic disasters viz. tsunami, storm surges, has been established at INCOIS, to provide services for India and countries of the Indian Ocean, which have been recognized by UNESCO.” The note explained.
