SARAT (Search and Rescue Aid Tool) Version 2

The Ministry of Earth Sciences launched SARAT (Search and Rescue Aid Tool) Version 2 to enhance search-and-rescue efficiency in the Indian Ocean.

• Key enhancements include more accurate search areas, enhanced data visualization, and future upgrades (e.g., surface current and wind prediction accuracy).
• SARAT is a satellite-based distress alert system that aids vessels, aircraft, and individuals in remote or high-risk areas at sea.
• It was developed by the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO) and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) as part of the Make in India initiative.

Key Features of SARAT include:

• Customizable Tracking: Tracks 60 object types, including people, rafts, boats, and aircraft.
• Accurate Predictions: Forecasts search areas up to 10 days using wind, currents, and drifting buoys.
• User-Friendly Interface: Includes interactive maps, SMS/email alerts, and local language support for fishermen.
• INCOIS, recognized by UNESCO for its expertise in tsunami warnings, won the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2025 for excellence in disaster management.