INCOIS launched 3 technological support and alert systems:
The Hyderabad-based Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) launched three new technological support and alert systems on 25 February. The technology aims to significantly reduce damage and losses to fishermen, offshore oil exploration industries and coastal population during extreme weather and oceanic events.
Highlights:
1) Swell Surge Forecast System:
One of the products was the `Swell Surge Forecast System`. It will provide forewarnings for the coastal population of India`s vast shoreline that experiences a slew of damages caused by the swell waves. These waves originate from the distant southern Indian Ocean. This Swell Surge system can predict `Kallakkadal` (meaning swell surge) that occurs along the Indian coast. Now, these Swell Surge can be detected 2-3 days ahead.
Swell surge is the flash-flood events that take place without any apparent signature in the coastal environment or any noticeable advance change in local winds.
2) Small Vessel Advisory and Forecast Services System (SVAS):
The second product which was launched is the Small Vessel Advisory and Forecast Services System (SVAS). It is an innovative impact-based advisory and forecast service system for small vessels operating in Indian coastal waters. The warning system is developed on the basis of the `Boat Safety Index` (BSI). It was derived from wave models forecast outputs including wave height, steepness of the wave, directional spread and the rapid development of wind at sea.
The SVAS can detect the potential zones where vessel overturning can take place. It provides warning 10 days in advance. It is valid for small vessels of beam width up to 7 m. This system can cover an entire range of beam widths of the fishing vessels used in all the nine coastal states and union territories (UT) of India.
3) Algal Bloom Information Service (ABIS):
The third product released by INCOI is the Algal Bloom Information Service (ABIS). The system will provide timely information on harmful algal blooms. The developed system will provide service for "Detection and Monitoring of Bloom in the Indian Seas". It can be used by fishermen, marine fishery, researchers, ecologists, resource managers, and environmentalists.
Algal bloom:
An algal bloom is detrimental to coastal fisheries. It can cause respiratory problems within the coastal population from time to time. It also causes ill effects on the fishery, marine life, and water quality. Four regions that have been identified as bloom hotspots are the North Eastern Arabian Sea, coastal waters of Kerala, Gulf of Mannar and coastal waters of Gopalpur.
INCOIS:
Established on: 1999
Located in: Pragathi Nagar, Hyderabad
The INCOIS is an autonomous organization that functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). The organizations aim to provide a number of free services to users in the marine realm.
Xiaomi to use ISRO`s NavIC technology:
Xiaomi has collaborated with ISRO to bring the space agency`s Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System "NavIC technology" to its smartphones. The announcement was made by Xiaomi Global VP and MD Manu Jain. Xiaomi is the only smartphone brand to have worked with ISRO to bring tech that has been developed in the country to the fore, so far.
NavIC technology in Xiaomi:
♦ Many of the smartphones Xiaomi that are to be launched across multiple price points will support Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) technology. Navic was initially supported only on some Snapdragon chipsets.
♦ The capability has been currently enabled by Qualcomm Technologies on several of its Qualcomm Snapdragon mobile platforms.
♦ This facility will be made available across multiple Xiaomi smartphones in India in 2020.
♦ The move by Xiaomi is a step further towards the Make in India initiative. Xiaomi India has enabled the usage of NavIC technology across several of its devices in 2020.
Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC):
NacIC technology is a regional geo-positioning system designed by ISRO to provide accurate positioning in India and 1,500km around the Indian mainland. The system comprises of 7 satellites, three of which are in a geostationary orbit over the Indian Ocean and four that are in a geosynchronous orbit. The NavIC will be accurate up to 5m, which much more efficient than GPS, which is said to be accurate up to 20 to 30 meters.
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