India is set to join several other Indian Ocean nations in a series of crucial tsunami preparedness drills, codenamed IOWave25, scheduled for October 15th and November 5th. The first exercise, occurring on October 15th at 11:30 a.m., will simulate a powerful magnitude 9.0 earthquake originating in the Makran Trench, off the coast of Pakistan. This scenario is designed to test India’s readiness for a major tsunami affecting its west coast and the Lakshadweep Islands.
The second drill, slated for November 5th at 8:30 a.m., will simulate an even stronger magnitude 9.2 earthquake in the Sumatra Trench, near Northern Sumatra, Indonesia. This scenario focuses on a potential tsunami impact on India’s eastern coastline and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Both exercises will run continuously for 12 hours, during which the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) will issue 15 test bulletins. Special precautions will be in place to avoid causing undue alarm among the general public.
These vital drills are organized by the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/IOTWMS), an initiative under UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
The core objective of these exercises is to significantly enhance tsunami preparedness, thoroughly assess the response capabilities of all participating nations, and strengthen crucial regional coordination. They will rigorously test the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of various emergency services, evaluating their readiness to handle actual tsunami emergencies.
According to T.M. Balakrishnan Nair, Director of the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), the overarching goal is to involve every link in the tsunami warning and response chain, with a particular emphasis on empowering local coastal communities.
The Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC), managed by INCOIS, plays a critical dual role as one of the primary Tsunami Service Providers (TSPs) for the entire Indian Ocean region. It is responsible for issuing advisories not only to India but also to 26 other nations bordering the Indian Ocean. During the IOWave25 exercises, ITEWC will fully engage in both its national and regional capacities, disseminating test bulletins through various channels including GTS, email, fax, SMS, and its official website.
Dr. Nair emphasized that these exercises provide an invaluable opportunity for all stakeholders to rigorously test their tsunami warning and response mechanisms. Furthermore, they serve to significantly raise public awareness and enhance overall preparedness, while also being crucial for identifying and rectifying any weaknesses in the warning and communication infrastructure.
Active participation in these drills will include a wide array of key organizations: the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Coastal Disaster Management Organizations from various States and Union Territories, the Indian Navy, the Coast Guard, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and other crucial maritime stakeholders such as ports and harbors.
Beyond operational testing, IOWave25 offers a unique platform for ‘Tsunami Ready’ implementing States and Union Territories to showcase their adherence to the UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme (TRRP). This will allow for a thorough assessment of community-based preparedness, local response mechanisms, and public awareness campaigns, all vital for achieving and maintaining the coveted ‘Tsunami Ready’ designation.