India, May 9 -- Kerala fishers, on society's margins, disregard large area forecasts & take risks for their livelihood as the Arabian becomes more cyclonic; local forecasts can help in more ways than one

A new study on the southwestern Indian coast shows marine weather forecasts can be localised and aid safe traditional fishing by small-craft fishers close to the shore, even when there may be rough weather offshore.

Weather information downscaled for grids of 5 km x 5 kilometres (km), with localised forecasts issued for 25 km x 25 km, can complement official forecasts that are usually meant for large ocean areas, the study by Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), India Meteorological Department (IMD) and University of Sus...