India to Launch Next-Generation Tsunami Warning System with Andaman and Nicobar Regional Center
India is embarking on a major initiative to significantly strengthen its tsunami monitoring and early warning capabilities by establishing a new Regional Service Centre (RSC) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This strategic move, part of a Rs 300-crore project, aims to upgrade the existing system to detect tsunamis from both seismic and non-seismic sources, marking a leap forward in coastal safety.
Enhancing Detection Beyond Earthquakes
Currently, the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information and Services (INCOIS), based in Hyderabad, operates the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC), primarily focusing on tsunamis triggered by earthquakes. However, global statistics show that 80% of tsunamis are caused by undersea earthquakes, while the remaining 20% result from non-seismic events like landslides, submarine volcanic activity, and mudslides. To address this gap, India is developing a comprehensive strategy to monitor all potential triggers.
"The current system is designed to mainly detect tsunamis triggered by earthquakes. India is now working on developing a good strategy where the system will be able to also detect tsunamis triggered by non-seismic causes. This will truly be the next-generation tsunami warning system," explained T M Balakrishnan Nair, Director of INCOIS.
Key Infrastructure and International Collaboration
The proposed RSC will be located at Vijaynagar along Swaraj Dweep in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, representing the first-of-its-kind tsunami-related coordination center in India. This facility will not only serve India but also offer critical services to partnering countries with coastlines along the Indian Ocean, such as Sri Lanka, enhancing regional cooperation in disaster management.
A groundbreaking component of this project involves laying 270 kilometers of sub-sea cables along the subduction zone, where tectonic plate movements often trigger earthquakes and volcanic activity. This infrastructure is expected to overcome current limitations in data collection.
Addressing Data Gaps with Advanced Technology
Presently, INCOIS relies on tidal gauges and surface buoys deployed along the Indian coast and in the north Indian Ocean basin to capture earthquake signals and assess tsunami potential. However, this method faces challenges, including theft, vandalism of buoys, and insufficient satellite data. The new sub-sea cable network will provide a more reliable and continuous data stream, filling these gaps effectively.
"With the proposed sub-sea cable, the issue pertaining to data gaps gets addressed," Nair emphasized. Additionally, the latest infrastructure will enable monitoring of acoustic signals, which can capture earthquake signals faster than the existing network, allowing for quicker warnings and responses.
Vulnerability and Strategic Investment
While India has not experienced a major tsunami recently, experts warn of significant vulnerabilities. The west coast is particularly at risk from tsunamis caused by non-seismic sources due to fragile marine geology and underwater mud volcanoes along the Makran coast. Furthermore, the Barren Islands in the Andaman Sea, home to India's only known volcano, pose a potential threat despite being largely dormant.
If an earthquake or volcanic activity occurs near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the local population could face severe impacts. "This is why India is heavily investing in the Andaman and Nicobar," stated Nair, highlighting the strategic importance of this investment in safeguarding island communities and enhancing national preparedness.
This initiative underscores India's commitment to advancing oceanographic research and disaster resilience, setting a new standard in tsunami warning systems for the region.
