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Time of India
4 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Observatories to be deployed at sea to enhance forecasts
Chennai: Indian researchers will soon deploy observatories in the sea to collect continuous oceanographic and meteorological data to improve weather forecast accuracy and support climate studies. Work is already underway, with researchers from the city-based National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) conducting offshore geotechnical investigations for a coastal observatory. A 15-metre-tall platform was installed at a 10-metre water depth off their campus in Pamanji, Andhra Pradesh. The observatories will be installed under the Mission Mausam initiative to make India 'weather ready' and 'climate smart'. "Unlike buoys in the ocean, which provide only surface-level data, these observatories will have instruments to measure subsurface, surface, and atmospheric parameters and transmit data in real time. A lidar will be used as a probing device to penetrate a few kilometres into the atmosphere and provide a vertical profile, including cloud density and wind speed and direction," said M Ravichandran, secretary, ministry of earth sciences. He said the observatories will be deployed less than 60 km from the shoreline, starting along the east coast, with at least one observatory for every coastal state to complement land-based radars. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Experts said that while Doppler Weather Radars on land with a 100 km to 500 km radius capacity, detect and measure thunderstorm clouds, precipitation, winds, and cyclonic movement, no such observations exist over ocean. IMD also launches radiosondes or weather balloons daily to obtain vertical profiles over land, but not at sea. "We do not know how coastal currents are changing and what variabilities impact weather. Unlike on land, we don't have data on diurnal variation in the ocean. This is a challenge for forecasting in coastal regions," Ravichandran said. India currently relies on satellites, ship-based surveys, and argo floats for ocean observations. These provide mostly surface-level or snapshot data and lack the depth and continuity needed for detailed modelling. "Atmospheric data helps in nowcasting and short-term forecasts. But for 10–15-day, monthly, or seasonal forecasts, or long-term studies, the clue is ocean," Ravichandran added. The observatories will also help generate long-term time-series data critical for understanding ocean variability, monsoon behaviour, and climate change.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
NIOT seeks Rs 50 lakh for Pozhiyoor harbour cost reduction study
1 2 3 T'puram: The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has demanded Rs 50.5 lakh from the harbour engineering department to carry out a study on the possible ways to reduce the cost of the proposed Pozhiyoor fishing harbour. NIOT wants Rs 10 lakh to be paid in advance, with the remaining amount payable after completing the study and submitting the report. The remaining amount need not be given if the study fails to find solutions. The project's estimated cost was Rs 343 crore, but the Union fisheries ministry termed the cost high and asked NIOT to explore ways to bring it below Rs 200 crore. Following this, there was a discussion between the officials of NIOT and the harbour engineering department. During the discussion, NIOT officials raised demands to proceed with the study. If a favourable decision is taken, the harbour engineering department will sign an MoU with NIOT on the rules and regulations to be followed. Once the pact is signed, a five-member team from NIOT will arrive in the district to carry out the study, which will last for three months. The harbour engineering department is yet to make a final decision. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "Once we get the govt's consent, the pact will be signed. The expert team will focus on efficient planning, design and execution by considering innovative technologies, risk-based inspections and ways to reduce labour and material costs," informed an official. "The team is considering the possibility of using alternative materials instead of rocks for the breakwaters," the officer said. The department informed that the central ministry wants to bring the cost below Rs 200 crore and approval would be given only if the cost was reduced. Once the ministry approves the project, the state's second largest harbour will be constructed on a 60:40 cost-sharing ratio by the central and state govts, respectively. The project's DPR was already approved by the state fisheries department months ago. The project will benefit thousands of fishers residing in Pozhiyoor, Poovar, Karimkulam, Kochuthura, Puthiyathura, Pallam and Pulluvila. In addition to the construction of breakwaters, another 15 components, such as a fish landing facility, auction hall, roads, wharf, street lights, toilet complex, etc., were also included in the project. NIOT expert team will examine all components of the project independently for overall cost reduction, added the officer.
Time Business News
24-06-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Technological Advancements and Transition to Renewable Energy in Marine Mining Market
Marine mining involves the extraction of valuable minerals and natural resources from oceanic environments. This practice ranges from near-shore operations, where materials like sand, gravel, and salt are harvested, to deeper waters that hold oil, natural gas, and strategically important metals such as manganese and cobalt. As the demand for construction materials, energy resources, and strategic metals grows, marine mining market is gaining attention. However, environmental concerns and regulatory challenges accompany these advancements. Key Growth Drivers and Opportunities Increasing Demand for Minerals and Metals: Cobalt, nickel, and manganese, crucial for EV batteries and renewable energy technologies, are abundant in deep-sea nodules. Rising demand for metals and minerals, especially those needed for renewable energy and technological innovations such as electric vehicles. As land-based mineral reserves run out, the ocean floor offers a huge, unexplored supply of these vital resources, which forces industries to look into marine mining as a possible way to meet the rising demand. Growing Investment in Offshore Mining Technologies: Enhanced investment in offshore mining technology will transform the livelihoods of those affected by ocean degradation. Seabed mapping, AI-controlled navigation, and pressure-resistant robotic arm innovations allow for accurate resource extraction while minimizing environmental hazards at the same time. The surge in R& D and capital investments not only speeds up commercialization time planning but also generates interest in the clean energy, defense, and telecommunications industries. Challenges Deep-sea mining requires specialized vessels, submersibles, pumps, and AI-driven navigation all extremely expensive. Environmental concerns such as sediment plumes, disruption of biodiversity, and noise pollution affecting marine life this factors hamper the growth of marine mining market growth. Innovation and Expansion India's Deep Sea Mining Trials On October4, 2024, The Deep Sea Mining Group of the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has successfully conducted exploratory mining trials for polymetallic nodules in the Andaman Sea, utilizing a specially designed seabed mining machine named Varaha-3. The locations for these trials were previously surveyed and identified by the Geological Survey of India, highlighting the potential for valuable mineral resources beneath the ocean floor. The Government of India Submits Two Applications for Approval of Plans of Work for Seabed Exploration in the Indian Ocean On 18 January 2024, the Government of India submitted two applications to the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for approval of two plans of work for exploration in the international seabed area (the Area) of the Indian Ocean. One application has been submitted for the exploration for polymetallic sulphides in the Indian Ocean Ridge (Carlsberg Ridge). The second application was submitted for the exploration for cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts of the Afanasy-Nikitin Seamount in the Central Indian Ocean. IAI unveils BlueWhale Large Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) In May 2023, Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI), announced expansion of its maritime capabilities and presenting its BlueWhale Large Autonomous Underwater Vehicle for the first time. This has successfully undergone thousands of autonomous operation hours, including intelligence-gathering for both maritime and coastal targets, acoustic intelligence, and identifying the presence of naval mines. The autonomous submarine can perform a significant portion of the operations of a manned submarine, for periods of several weeks, at minimal cost and maintenance, without the need for operators on board. India Launches Deep-Sea Mining Project to Develop 'Blue Economy' In January 2023, India launched a deep-sea mining project which was a type of marine mining to fulfill the need for rare minerals. With a budget of more than USD 460 million over five years, the initiative would develop deep-sea mining technologies and resource exploration, study marine biodiversity, purchase a research vessel for ocean exploration and conduct research on ocean climate change. The Metals Company Acquires Third Seabed Contract Area to Explore For Polymetallic Nodules In April 2020, The Metals Company, announced that it has acquired Tonga Offshore Mining Limited (TOML), giving the company exploration rights to a 74,713 km2 block of CCZ seabed that contains an inferred resource of 756 million wet tonnes of polymetallic nodules. The acquisition expands The Metals Company's extensive library of CCZ deep-sea data, with 10,450 preserved biological samples, 3,153 line-kilometers of seabed images and 115,591 square kilometers of high-resolution bathymetric data About Author: Prophecy is a specialized market research, analytics, marketing and business strategy, and solutions company that offer strategic and tactical support to clients for making well-informed business decisions and to identify and achieve high value opportunities in the target business area. Also, we help our client to address business challenges and provide best possible solutions to overcome them and transform their business. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
India Today
19-06-2025
- Science
- India Today
Samudrayaan: NIOT to conduct controlled water trials, crew sphere getting ready
India's ambitious Samudrayaan mission is gearing up for a crucial phase, as the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) prepares to conduct a second series of harbour tests in Controlled Water Trials (CWT) are aimed at further validating the country's first indigenous deep-sea submersible systems. The next round of tests will prominently feature a newly integrated titanium exoskeleton, a significant leap in the vehicle's design and safety profile, according to NIOT Director Prof Balaji The Matsya-6000 submersible, centerpiece of the Samudrayaan mission, is designed to carry a three-member crew to depths of up to 5,000 meters for deep ocean exploration. Earlier this year, the NIOT successfully completed the maiden harbour wet test at Kattupalli Port near Chennai, which included both manned and unmanned dives to assess the submersible's power, control, flotation, stability, and life support initial trials validated the core design, but also highlighted areas for improvement, particularly as the mission moves toward deeper and more demanding underwater upcoming second wet test will focus on the integration and performance of the new titanium exoskeleton, which is expected to enhance the submersible's structural integrity and resilience under extreme titanium personnel sphere, being developed in collaboration with Isro, is undergoing advanced welding processes at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, a technological feat given the sphere's 80 mm thickness and the need to withstand pressures found 6,000 meters below sea level. NIOT completed the maiden harbour wet test at Kattupalli Port near Chennai. (Photo: NIO) advertisementWelding and fabrication of this critical component are progressing, with plans for rigorous pressure testing in Russia to ensure safety and officials emphasise that these controlled water trials are essential for understanding the real-world performance of indigenous systems and for validating the integration of new technologies before attempting deeper results will inform final preparations for the mission's landmark 500-meter and eventual 5,000-meter crewed dives, aiming to place India among the select nations capable of deep-sea human Watch
New Indian Express
31-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Tamil Nadu CM Stalin reviews environmental impact of MSC ELSA 3 shipwreck
CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday chaired a high-level review meeting at the secretariat to address the environmental impact of the MSC ELSA 3 shipwreck off the Kochi coast. The Liberian-flagged cargo vessel capsized 38 nautical miles off Kerala, releasing plastic nurdles, fuel, and other hazardous materials into the sea. Due to the southwest monsoon, debris washed ashore along parts of Kerala and the west coast of Kanniyakumari district. The meeting focused on safe disposal of plastic nurdles along the southern coastal districts of Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, and Ramanathapuram. An environmental impact assessment is being done by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), in coordination with the National Institute of Ocean Technology and other expert agencies. The fisheries department has restricted fishing activities in affected areas and is investigating the possibility of nurdle ingestion by marine species. District collectors, under the guidance of the State Disaster Management Authority, have been directed to coordinate with the police and volunteers for safe clean-up, a release said. While no hazardous materials have reached Tamil Nadu shores so far, the chief minister has ordered officials to ensure continous monitoring, conduct both short- and long-term impact studies, and expedite assessments of marine life health. Stalin highlighted the importance of protecting the region's marine ecosystem, drawing parallel with the 2021 X-Press Pearl disaster off the coast of Sri Lanka. TN constitutes committee, seeks public opinion on bus fare revision Chennai: The state government has issued a notification inviting public opinion on a proposed hike in bus fare. A committee headed by the transport commissioner has also been constituted to examine the proposal, following a directive from the Madras High Court. The court issued the order while hearing a petition filed by the Private Bus Operators Association seeking a fare revision. As per the notification, public can send their comments by post to the office of the transport commissioner in Guindy.
