Application of collected data
Presentations at the DBCP Technical Workshop
Chennai, India, 18-19 October 2004

Theme 1: Applications / Research

Moored Buoy Observations and Its Significance in Indian Seas
K. Premkumar, Tata Sudhakar, D. Rajasekhar, G. Rajesh (National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai) 

ABSTRACT:

India with a coastline of over 7500 km length and about 2.02 million sq km area within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) offers immense scope for exploration and utilization of marine resources. A total number of 11 major and 148 minor ports located in coastal zones provide the gateways for International, National Trade and Commerce in India. The Indian coastline is highly vulnerable and is mainly attributed to extensive low-lying coastal area, high population density, frequent occurrence of cyclones, storm surges, high rate of coastal environmental degradation on account of pollution and non-sustainable development. Also being a nation widely dependent on agriculture for livelihood, India requires advance information on the rain and drought events. 

Understanding the requirement of better knowledge on ocean and climate of this region for the social, economic development of nation, Department of Ocean Development, Government of India has established the National Data Buoy Programme (NDBP) in 1997 at the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai. Since then systematic real-time meteorological and oceanographic observations necessary to improve oceanographic services and predictive capability of short and long-term climatic changes has been carried out using moored buoys. A network of twelve data buoys have been deployed and maintained both in Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal during the implementation of the programme from 1997 to 2002. The buoy network has been increased to twenty by end 2002. The meteorological and oceanographic data provided by the buoys has helped immensely various user agencies in India like Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Coast Guard (CG), Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), National Hydrographic Office (NHO), Space Application Centre (SAC), Ports, etc to fine-tune their activities. Real time data is being provided to the world community through World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in Global Telecommunication System.