| Indian Ocean Forecast System (INDOFOS)
The need
Having more than a quarter of the population residing along the coastlines of India, information on the state of the ocean surrounding the subcontinent is vital for the well being of the countrymen as well as for the socio-economic development of the country. Our marine activities ranges from conventional fishing to high-tech oil and natural gas exploration; transportation of goods to search and rescue operations in the high seas. Prior information of the state of the ocean would highly benefit these activities and ensure the safety of all those who venture into the sea. Further, the oceans around us play critical role in regulating the regional climate. In short, forecasting oceanographic parameters (both in surface and subsurface) at different time scales is extremely important for a wide spectrum of users ranging from weathermen to fishermen and from the navy to the off-shore industries. Keeping this in mind, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) is bringing out a new integrated Indian Ocean Forecasting System (INDOFOS), which is capable of predicting the surface and subsurface features of the Indian Ocean well in advance.
At present, INCOIS is providing forecasts of
1. Wave height and direction
2. Sea surface currents
3. Sea surface Temperature
4. Mixed Layer Depth
5. Depth of the 20 degree isotherm (as a measure of thermocline). The Generation
The forecasts are generated by a suit of state-of-the art numerical models, which are customized to simulate and predict the Indian Ocean features realistically. Important models used are I) Wave Watch III, Mike, WAM and Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS). Atmospheric forecast products from different met agencies (NCMRWF, ECMWF, and NCEP) are used for forcing the models in forecast mode. Global forecast and regional forecast differ mainly in spatial and temporal resolution of the forecast, extent of validation carried out etc. In coastal forecast, the models are set up using the concept of ‘multiple grid’ with coarse resolution in the open ocean region and very fine resolution for the specified coast or locations aimed at, there by incorporating the influence of remotely forced waves along the coast. Four type of forecast is generated operationally in addition to value added services.
Services
1. Location Specific forecast (3 days - 3 hourly interval)
2. Coastal forecast (7 days - 3 hourly interval)
3. Regional forecast (7 days - 3 hourly interval)
4. Indian Ocean forecast (5 days - 6 hourly interval)
5. Global forecast (5 days - 6 hourly interval)
6. Value added services.
The validation
For testing the accuracy and reliability of the model products, satellite and in-situ measurements are used for the purpose of validation. Validation is done mainly during the extreme conditions and monsoon Seasons. Near real time validation is carried out for site specific forecast and value added services. The dissemination
Forecast information is disseminated by means of web and email to all the major stake holders in the ocean sector. Numeric data is provided to registered users through the web-GIS (Geographical Information System) of the INCOIS site. Users have the options to select the region of interest, time and the parameter. Forecast for a specified region and time can be emailed to the user on request. The forecast is also disseminated through Village Information Centers, All India radio, FM radio, Digital Display Boards, NGO websites and TV channels in local languages. The users
Our clients include Maritime Boards, Navy, Coast Guard, Shipping sector, Energy Sector, Oil industries, Fisherman, and NGOs. Feedback
The feedback of the users is collected frequently and improvement is made in the forecasting system. |
