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T M BALAKRISHNAN NAIR

Director, Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, Hyderabad

Dr. Balakrishnan Nair is a Director, Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, Hyderabad. He is one of the founding members of INCOIS, having over 25 years of experience as a researcher and leading the Ocean Information and Forecast Service Group of INCOIS for the last 19 years.

Dr. Balakrishnan Nair holds a Ph.D. degree in Marine Science.He published more than 110 papers in international and national SCI journals of high impact factor, in addition to many technical reports and popular articles. He is a Fellow of the Telangana Academy of Sciences (FTASc).

He is a steering committee Member for Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) of IOC/UNESCO, Vice Chair of Expert Team on MetOcean Requirements (ET-MOR) of WMO, Vice Chair of Expert Team on Marine Service (ET-MS) of RAII-WMO, the National Coordinator for Ship Observation Team (SOT) of GOOS, COordinated Wave CLImate Program (COWCLIP) and member of Task Teams of SOT and Data Buoy Cooperation Panel (DBCP). He also played a pivotal role in establishing multilateral programs with Regional Integrated Multi-hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) to establish coastal real-time observation systems and developing ocean forecast systems for IOR countries. He is also a member of WMO’s Severe Weather Forecast Project (SWFP-South Asia).

Dr. Nair was conferred with several national and international awards/fellowships, including the prestigious National Geosciences Award-2014, from the Ministry of Mines; Silver Award (2008–09) for design and development of the INCOIS website & ocean portal under the category “Best Government Website” during the National Award for e-governance 2008–09, instituted by the Government of India; Certificate of Merit (2007) for outstanding contribution from Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India; Young Scientist Award from Indian Association of Sedimentologists in 2000; and many more.

SCIENCE Ocean State Forecast Services for the Maritime Community

India is the only country in the northern Indian Ocean that has a fully operational ocean state forecast (OSF) services. This supports millions of users for smooth operations at sea, for both offshore and nearshore activities. The OSF services from ESSO-INCOIS are of a high global standard with accurate, timely forecasts and advisories. They are supported by a robust in-situ and satellite observations as well as state-of-the-art computational facilities with multi-model simulations. The services incorporate the latest information and communication technology (ICT) tools for building a well-defined dissemination system. ESSO-INCOIS has modulated its general forecasts to build impact-based forecasts based on user feedback. Its recent service caters to fishing boats far out at sea with systems enabled through NAVigation with Indian Constellation (NAVIC) and the Gagan Enabled Mariner's Instrument for Navigation and Information (GEMINI). ESSO-INCOIS also plays an active role in supporting the rising needs of ushering in the blue economy of the region.

FOR PEOPLE Empowering Seafarers of India

ESSO-The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (ESSO-INCOIS)provides a host of economic and environmental benefits to the coastal populace through a wide variety of services—ocean state forecast, potential fishing zone advisory and the tsunami early warning system. Ground surveys conducted by various agencies among the beneficiaries corroborate the efficacy of ESSO-INCOIS’ services.

CYCLONES IN INDIA Forecasting Coastal Inundation

High waves and coastal inundation due to tropical cyclones cause heavy loss of life and property. Hence, precise prediction and warning is of extreme significance. The forecast services played a major role in preventing losses when cyclone Phailin made landfall in 2013.