Integrated Ocean Information and Forecast System

Integrated Ocean Information and Forecast System for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, is an island nation just to the south of India in the Indian Ocean, with a long coastline of 1340 km. It is a rugged land of rainforest, diverse wildlife and endless beaches. Because of its geographic location and deep harbours, it of great strategic importance from ancient times. The north-west coast of Sri Lanka is most of the time under the influence of high wind waves and swell waves, the situation getting compounded during the spring tides, particularly along the low lying areas. Sri Lanka has been affected mostly by cyclone activity occurring in the Bay of Bengal. Even though not frequent, the eastern, northern and north central regions are the cyclone prone areas of Sri Lanka. The Island nation is also under the influence high winds and waves associated with the southwest monsoon season.. There is an urgent need to provide timely and accurate forecast information on ocean state and marine meteorological parameters for wide spectrum of users such as fishermen, ports and harbours, tourism departments, defence, coast guard and shipping for this island country with a relatively long coastline.

To cater to these needs, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India developed an integrated high resolution ocean forecasting system for Sri Lanka through Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad and Regional Integrated Multi-hazard Early-warning Systems (RIMES). The forecast is available to the users three days in advance at 3-6 hour temporal resolution for wind, waves, currents, temperature in map form for the region. These forecasts are updated daily on operational basis. In addition, location specific forecast products are available for the following locations, most of which are fishing harbours.

1. Kalpitiya
2. Chilaw
3. Negombo
4. Dikkovita
5. Mutwal
6. Panadura
7. Beruwala
8. Ambalangoda
9. Hikkaduwa
10. Dodanduwa
11. Galle
12. Mirissa
13. Puranawella
14. Nilwella
15. Kudawella
16. Tangalle
17. Hambanthota
18. Kirinda
19. Valachchanai
20. Cod Bay
21. Oluvil
22. Suduwella

Further, High Wave Alerts would be issued during situations when the waves are likely to be high, close to the shoreline. Development of Standard Operating Procedure for providing High Wave Alerts, tidal flooding and wave surge warning is in progress.