India’s Push for Tsunami-Ready Coastal Communities

Why in News ?

India is set to have over 100 tsunami-ready villages across its coastline and island territories under the Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme, placing it among the leading countries in the Indian Ocean region in terms of community-based tsunami preparedness.

Background & Context

The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami highlighted the devastating impact of tsunamis on coastal populations, especially in countries with long coastlines and densely populated shorelines like India. Since then, India has significantly strengthened its early warning systems, institutional mechanisms, and community preparedness through bodies such as the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).

However, experience has shown that early warnings alone are insufficient unless local communities understand risks, evacuation routes, and response protocols. This recognition led to the adoption of community-centric disaster risk reduction frameworks, of which the Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme is a key global initiative.

Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme: Overview

• An international, community-based recognition programme
• Developed by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO
• Implemented in tsunami-prone regions worldwide, particularly in the Indian Ocean
• Recognises communities that meet a standardised level of tsunami preparedness

Objectives of the Programme

• Build resilient coastal communities
• Enhance awareness and preparedness to protect:
  • Human life
  • Livelihoods
  • Property
• Reduce losses through:
  • Early warning dissemination
  • Planned evacuation
  • Community participation

Methodology and Certification Criteria

Standardised Indicators

• Communities must fulfil all 12 indicators, grouped under:
  • Assessment
  • Preparedness
  • Response

Key Requirements for Recognition

A Tsunami-Ready village must demonstrate:

• High levels of tsunami awareness
• Identified and mapped tsunami hazard zones
• Public display of:
  • Evacuation maps
  • Safe routes and shelters
  • Functional 24-hour tsunami warning system
• Regular participation in:
  • Mock drills
  • Community training programmes
• Clearly defined:
  • Evacuation procedures
  • Roles and responsibilities of local responders

Recognition and Validity

• Certified as ‘Tsunami Ready’ by UNESCO-IOC
• Recognition is:
  • Renewable every four years
  • Subject to continued compliance and periodic evaluation

India’s Progress Under the Programme

• India has made rapid strides in:
  • Coastal hazard mapping
  • Community training
  • Integration of warnings with local governance
• Expansion of tsunami-ready villages:
  • Covers mainland coast and island regions
  • Strengthens last-mile disaster preparedness
• Complements national frameworks such as:
  • National Disaster Management Plan
  • Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms

Significance for Disaster Risk Reduction

• Shifts focus from:
  • Response-centric approach
  • To preparedness-centric disaster management
• Strengthens:
  • Community ownership
  • Local resilience
  • Reduces dependency on external rescue during disasters
• Aligns with:
  • Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
  • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)