In honor of World Meteorological Day, celebrated annually on March 23rd, the School of Naval Oceanology & Meteorology (SNOM) and the Indian Naval Meteorological Analysis Centre (INMAC) organized a METOC (Meteorological and Oceanographic) seminar titled ‘Meghayan-24’ at the Southern Naval Command on March 28, 2024.
The seminar, held under the theme ‘At the Frontline of Climate Action’ as promulgated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) for the year 2024, served as a platform to highlight the indispensable role of meteorologists in addressing climate challenges.
Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, delivered the inaugural address via virtual mode, emphasizing the urgent need for accurate and immediate focus on climate change.
He underscored the importance of collective action in achieving a climate-smart society, aligning with the global framework for climate services of the WMO.
Admiral Kumar reaffirmed the Indian Navy’s commitment to adopting sustainable policies and integrating climate change considerations into security strategy, while also recognizing the crucial support provided by Naval meteorological specialists across all operational domains.
Distinguished guest speakers, Dr. TVS Uday Bhaskar from the Indian Naval Centre for Ocean Information System (INCOIS) and Dr. Ragavendra Ashit from the National Centre for Medium Range Forecasting (NCMRWF), enlightened the audience on the latest techniques and climate data analysis undertaken by scientific agencies to support policy-making at the national level.
Panel discussions on the ‘Effect of Weather and Climate Change on Naval Operations’ further elucidated the latest METOC techniques adopted by the Indian Navy and scientific organizations.
A significant highlight of the seminar was the launch of the indigenous mobile application INDRA (Indian Naval Dynamic Resource for Weather Analysis), aimed at disseminating weather-related information and forecasts to facilitate optimal decision-making.
Developed in coordination with the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG) and the Directorate of Naval Oceanology and Meteorology, Indian Navy, INDRA empowers Naval personnel with timely and accurate weather data for operational planning.
The event was attended by Rear Admiral Upal Kundu, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command, Cmde Abhinav Barve, Commodore (NOM) from Naval Headquarters, and Mr. Miren Karamta, Director of BISAG.
Their presence underscored the importance of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in addressing climate challenges and enhancing METOC capabilities.
‘Meghayan-24’ served as a valuable platform for the exchange of knowledge and insights on weather and climate services, reaffirming the commitment of the Indian Navy towards climate action and sustainable practices.
The seminar underscored the Navy’s proactive approach in leveraging technology and expertise to navigate the challenges posed by climate change and ensure the safety and security of maritime operations.
