India to Cross 100 Tsunami-Ready Villages Milestone

India is set to become the first country in the Indian Ocean region to have over 100 tsunami-ready villages, marking a major milestone in community-based disaster preparedness.

What is a Tsunami-Ready Village?
A tsunami-ready village is certified by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) for meeting key preparedness benchmarks, including:

• High community awareness about tsunami risks
• Hazard preparedness and risk mapping
• Public display of evacuation routes and maps
• 24-hour tsunami warning systems
• Regular participation in mock drills

The programme is voluntary and focuses on strengthening local capacities through collaboration among communities, local authorities, and emergency management agencies.

Odisha Leads the Expansion
Currently, 24 coastal villages across six districts in Odisha hold the tsunami-ready certification. The state is set to add 72 more villages, significantly boosting India’s tally.

Other States Join the Initiative
Several coastal States and Union Territories are also moving forward under the programme:

• Kerala has proposed nine coastal villages for certification by March–April 2026.
• Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands have identified villages for inclusion under the initiative.

Role of INCOIS
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) operates the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC), which monitors global earthquakes and issues tsunami warnings for the Indian Ocean region. INCOIS is the coordinating agency for implementing the UNESCO-IOC ‘Tsunami Ready’ initiative in India.

Source: IE