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20 Years Since the Indian Ocean Tsunami: India Advances Tsunami Preparedness
On 26 December 2024, UNESCO and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), a UNESCO Category II Centre, held a conclave to mark 20 years since the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. The event highlighted India’s progress in disaster preparedness and discussed future strategies for coastal resilience.
The conclave included government officials, scientists, representatives from UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), UNESCAP, and leaders from India’s disaster management bodies. Survivors of the 2004 tsunami shared their experiences, emphasizing the need for continuous readiness.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), highlighted India’s commitment to disaster preparedness, stating, “India’s tsunami warning systems are among the best in the world, serving not only our nation but others globally.”
The Tsunami Ready Programme: Building Resilience in Communities
A key feature of the event was the recognition of 26 Indian coastal communities as “Tsunami Ready” under the IOC-UNESCO initiative. This status was achieved by meeting 12 indicators, including capacity building, community awareness, and regular mock drills.
Sessions at the conclave addressed the evolution of tsunami warning systems, ongoing challenges, and the need for multi-hazard approaches. Experts also discussed the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (IOTWMS) and emphasized international collaboration.
Providing frameworks through UNESCO IOC for global partnerships is essential for preparedness. These frameworks function as a global ‘system of systems'.
The event reinforced the goals of the Banda Aceh Statement, calling for increased investment in tsunami preparedness. With over 700 million people in vulnerable coastal areas, achieving 100% Tsunami Ready communities worldwide by 2030 is crucial.
In 2021, UNESCO-IOC introduced the Ocean Decade Tsunami Programme (ODTP) as part of the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030). This initiative aims to improve warning systems, reduce response times, and enhance community readiness.
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