Tsunami-Ready Villages in India
India is on the verge of becoming the first country in the Indian Ocean region to have over 100 tsunami-ready villages. This initiative is part of a voluntary community-based programme aimed at increasing tsunami preparedness.
What is a Tsunami-Ready Village?
- Certification: Awarded by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
- Criteria:
- High awareness about tsunamis
- Hazard preparedness and mapping
- Public display of evacuation maps
- 24-hour warning systems
- Participation in mock drills
Current and Future Plans
- Existing Certified Villages: 24 coastal villages across six districts.
- Odisha's Initiative: Adding 72 more villages to the list.
- Other States and UTs:
- Gujarat, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands have identified potential villages.
- Kerala plans to propose nine coastal villages by March or April 2026.
Key Stakeholders and Implementation
The initiative is community-driven, requiring proactive identification of vulnerable communities by state and UT governments. This not only aids in tsunami preparedness but also helps with cyclones and similar hazards.
Role of INCOIS
- Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS):
- Operates the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC).
- Tracks global earthquakes and issues tsunami warnings for the Indian Ocean region.
- Coordinates the implementation of the UNESCO-IOC ‘Tsunami Ready’ initiative.
- Initiated pilot-scale activities to extend the programme to all coastal states and UTs.
