Context

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), has approved continuation of the nine sub-schemes related to weather, climate and natural hazard phenomena under the umbrella scheme "Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS) till 2020 at an estimated cost of Rs. 1450 crore.
• The CCEA also approved establishment of National Facility for Airborne Research (NFAR) with a financial commitment of Rs 130 crore for 2020-21 and beyond.

About

(a)ACROSS

• Ministry of Earth Science (MoES) has taken several initiatives to formulate specific schemes like weather and climate modelling, monsoon-research, climate change science & climate services and more.
• These schemes involve multi-institutes wherein each unit has a designated role for accomplishing the aforesaid tasks.
• As a result, all these schemes with specific objectives and budget are implemented in an integrated manner and are put together under the umbrella scheme "ACROSS".

Objective

• It aims to provide a reliable weather and climate forecast for betterment of society.
• It will aim at improving skill of weather and climate forecast through sustained observations, intensive research & development.
• It will enhance effective dissemination and communication strategies to ensure its timely reach to the end-user of all services like Agro-meteorological services, Aviation services, Environmental monitoring services, climate services, tourism and more
• It will integrate with number of agencies like the Krishi Vigyana Kendras of Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Universities and local municipalities for seamless and last mile connectivity in dissemination of information related to climate and weather.

Implementation

• It will be implemented by the Ministry of Earth Sciences through its institutes namely India Meteorological Department (IMD), Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Service (INCOIS).

(b) National Facility for Airborne Research (NFAR):

The airborne platform is projected as national facility which will cater the scientific need of several national research and educational institutions in the country. The project would be under Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), an autonomous body Ministry of Earth Sciences. Following research problems will be addressed at local/regional/national level:

• Cloud Aerosol Interaction studies
• Direct -Indirect aerosol effect
• Air Pollution studies- Mega cities/Urban
• Radiation studies
• Coastal pollution studies
• Urban visibility studies
• Flood/ Forestry/ City modelling
• Cloud microphysics and precipitation process studies

Utilization of aircraft:

The research aircraft will be utilized throughout the year for different tasks such as

• June- September: During Monsoon season over Indian land mass region and adjacent seas
• October- November: Bay of Bengal for cyclone research
• December– May: Himalayan, North India for aerosol measurement
  
  

  Some important institutions under Ministry of Earth Sciences India Meteorological Department (IMD): Established in 1975 as an autonomous body, it is the National Meteorological Service of the country and the principle government agency in all matters relating to meteorology, seismology and allied subjects. The National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF): It is a Centre of Excellence in Weather and Climate Modelling. The mission of the Centre is to continuously develop advanced numerical weather prediction systems, with increased reliability and accuracy over India and neighbouring regions through research, development and demonstration of new and novel applications, maintaining highest level of knowledge, skills and technical bases. System Science Organization Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Service (ESSO-INCOIS): Established as an autonomous body in 1999, it is a unit of the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO). It is mandated to provide the best possible ocean information and advisory services to society, industry, government agencies and the scientific community through sustained ocean observations and constant improvements through systematic and focussed research.