2nd Advisory workshop on enhancing forecasting capabilities for North Indian ocean storm surges

The first workshop on “Enhancing forecasting capabilities for North Indian ocean storm surges (IIT-D storm surge model upgrade) was held in IIT Delhi, India, from 14 to 17 July 2009. It was conducted under the framework of the UNESCO project on “Enhancing regional capabilities for coastal hazards forecasting and data portal systems”.

During this workshop, the international experts on storm surges, largely composed of the members of the JCOMM Expert Team on Wind Waves and Storm Surges (ETWS), reviewed the current status/performance of an operational storm surge forecasting model (IIT-D model) in the NIO region and addressed requirements for upgrading and improving model performance, considering the needs of the region following the recommendations made at the first JCOMM scientific and technical symposium on storm surges held during 2-6 October 2007 at Seoul, Korea. The experts also deliberated on setting up the medium-term and long-term technical workplan for the project on improving storm surge forecasting capabilities.

In order to effectively address the problem of the current operational storm surge model (in the NIO region) and the future direction to enhance storm surge predictability through the IIT D storm surge model, the first workshop initiated a close link between a group of international experts and the IIT-D working group. Based upon the input from the expert advisory group during first workshop, an action plan was agreed for the next three years to enhance predictability of the IIT-D storm surge model. The proposed workshop will (i) review the mid-term plan on up-gradation of IIT-D storm surge model; and, (ii) provide necessary scientific and technical advice.

The concept, objectives, and expected outcome of the proposed workshop are based on the recommendations made at the first workshop in 2009.