INCOIS Highlights Two Decades of Progress Since Indian Ocean Tsunami

By A Staff Reporter

Hyderabad, Telangana: As the 20th anniversary of the devastating Indian Ocean Tsunami approaches, Dr. Srinivasa Kumar Tummala, Director of the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), reflected on the significant progress made in tsunami preparedness and mitigation over the past two decades.

Speaking in Hyderabad, Dr. Tummala remarked, "The Indian Ocean Tsunami happened on the 26th of December 2004, and now we are approaching 20 years, two decades after this Indian Ocean tsunami. What we are trying to demonstrate here is the amount of progress that has been made within these two decades in establishing regional tsunami warning and mitigation systems."

He highlighted that in the aftermath of the 2004 disaster, which claimed over 230,000 lives across 14 countries, the United Nations assigned the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC/UNESCO) the task of establishing a regional tsunami warning system for the Indian Ocean.

"Following the December 26, 2004 tsunami, the UN gave the mandate to IOC/UNESCO to establish a regional tsunami warning system in the Indian Ocean region. Similar systems have since been implemented in other ocean basins. Now there are four regional tsunami warning centers worldwide, ensuring coordinated global monitoring and rapid response," Dr. Tummala explained.

These systems have significantly enhanced the ability to detect, monitor, and warn against potential tsunamis, helping to mitigate risks to life and property. Dr. Tummala emphasized the ongoing need for awareness, education, and international collaboration to maintain and improve these systems.

The advancements serve as a testament to global efforts in disaster management, offering hope that the tragedies of 2004 will not be repeated.