ACROSS for Improved Weather, Climate & Ocean Forecast

Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS) scheme’s continuation during 2017-2020 at an estimated cost of ₹1450 crore to address different aspects of weather and climate services that include warnings for cyclone, storm surges, heat waves, thunderstorms etc., has been approved on Thursday 22 November 2018 by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. CCEA has also approved establishment of National Facility for Airborne Research (NFAR) with a financial commitment of ₹130 crore during 2020-21 and beyond.

ACROSS scheme will provide improved weather, climate  and   ocean   forecast  and services, thereby ensuring transfer of commensurate benefits to the various services like Public weather service, disaster management, Agro-meteorological Services, Aviation services, Environmental monitoring services, Hydro-meteorological services, climate services, tourism, pilgrimage, power generation, water management, Sports & adventure etc.

Objective of the ACROSS scheme is to provide a reliable weather and climate forecast for betterment of society, the scheme aims at improving skill of weather and climate forecast through sustained observations, intensive R & D, and by adopting effective dissemination and communication strategies to ensure its timely reach to the end-user of all services like Agro-meteorological Services, Aviation service, Environmental monitoring services, Hydro-meteorological services, climate services, tourism, pilgrimage, mountaineering etc.

• ACROSS scheme pertains to the atmospheric science programs of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) are implemented by in an integrated manner 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).
• MoES has a mandate to carry out research and development activities to develop and improve capability to forecast weather, climate and natural hazard related phenomena.
• MoES has taken several initiatives to formulate specific schemes like augmentation of observing systems and infrastructure, understanding processes through special campaigns, weather and climate modelling, monsoon-research, climate change science & climate services etc.
• These schemes involve multi-institutes wherein each unit has a designated role for accomplishing the aforesaid tasks.
• All these schemes with specific objectives and budget are put together under the umbrella scheme “ACROSS”.
• ACROSS scheme pertains to the atmospheric science programs of MoES and addresses different aspects of weather and climate services, which includes warnings for cyclone, storm surges, heat waves, thunderstorms etc.
• It will also provide a sizable number of scientific and technical staff along with requisite administrative support, thereby generating employment.
• A large number of agencies like the Krishi Vigyana Kendras of ICAR, Universities and local municipalities are roped in thus generating employment opportunities to many people to ensure last-mile connectivity of the weather based services to the end -user,
• ACROSS scheme will provide improved weather, climate and   ocean   forecast and services, thereby ensuring transfer of commensurate benefits to the various services.