World Tsunami Awareness Day

World Tsunami Awareness Day is commemorated on the 5th of November every year with the objective to raise awareness about tsunamis and exchange modern innovative approaches to tackle the risks associated with them.

Purpose of World Tsunami Awareness Day

The World Tsunami Awareness Day was initially proposed by Japan as it has been repeated under the threat of this natural calamity. Hence, the United Nations (UN) body organizes the events and calls out all the countries to increase their understanding of tsunamis and share innovative approaches to reduce risks. 

In 2021, the day was celebrated with the theme of ‘Enhancing International cooperation for developing countries to raise tsunami awareness‘. The day promoted the ‘Sendai Seven Campaign‘ which aimed to ‘substantially enhance international cooperation to developing countries through adequate and sustainable support to complement their national actions for the implementation of the present Sendai Framework by 2030’.

What is the Significance of Celebrating World Tsunami Awareness Day?

As the entire world is dealing with climatic changes, it has been seen through the reports that the sea level is rising continuously and this phenomenon is increasing the risks associated with tsunamis. 

Most of the tsunamis, about 80 percent happen within the Pacific Oceans Ring of Fire, a geologically active area where tectonic shifts make volcanoes and earthquakes common.

The reports present that by 2030, 50 % of the population residing in the coastal area are exposed to the risk of tsunamis, tidal storms, and floods. Hence, to ensure the safety of the population residing in these areas international cooperation becomes significant to be prepared for the risk and have an innovative approach to reduce the risk.

What is the Background of World Tsunami Day?

The date 5th of November was declared World Tsunami Day by the UN General Assembly in December 2015. The observation of the day is facilitated by UN Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

After the Indian Ocean Tsunami in December 2004, a need was felt to monitor and mitigate the risks associated with the disaster. Hence, as a result just after three weeks after the Indian Ocean Tsunami, 10-year Hyogo Framework for Action was adopted by various governments throughout the world. The framework signed was an agreement between governments on disaster risk reduction.

The Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System was also adopted to monitor seismographic and sea level events to alert the national tsunami information centers.

What are the measures taken by India to reduce the risk?

In 2004, the government of India approved a program having brainstorming with various agencies like ISRO, CSIR, DST, and DOD. And, within 2 years a state-of-the-art Tsunami warning system was established at Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Sevices (INCOIS) Hyderabad.

By October 2007, an early warning system was in place which is capable of giving early warning within 10 minutes of the occurrence of an earthquake anywhere in the Indian Ocean region.

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) is developing an advanced 3D GIS mapping in vulnerable coastal areas to have new early warning systems for tsunamis on the eastern coast of India.