India is poised to achieve a significant milestone in disaster preparedness, emerging as the first country in the Indian Ocean region to have more than 100 coastal villages certified as 'Tsunami Ready'. This global recognition, awarded by UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), signifies a major leap in safeguarding vulnerable communities against oceanic hazards.
What Makes a Village Tsunami-Ready?
The 'Tsunami Ready' certification is a voluntary, community-based program designed to enhance preparedness at the grassroots level. To earn this distinction, villages must meet stringent criteria that demonstrate a high level of awareness and operational readiness. Key requirements include comprehensive public awareness about tsunamis, detailed hazard preparedness and risk mapping, and the public display of clear evacuation maps. Furthermore, certified villages must establish a functional 24-hour warning system and ensure active community participation in regular mock drills. This framework ensures that entire communities, from leaders to residents, are equipped to respond effectively in collaboration with local and national emergency agencies.
State-Wide Expansion and Pilot Program
The initiative is seeing rapid expansion across India's coastline. Odisha, which already has 24 certified villages across six districts, is leading the charge by preparing an additional 72 villages for certification. Other coastal states and union territories are also actively contributing. Gujarat, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have identified numerous villages for the program. Specifically, Kerala has proposed nine coastal villages to be included by March or April 2026.
The driving force behind this nationwide effort is the Indian National Center for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) in Hyderabad. As the operator of the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC), which monitors global earthquakes and issues alerts for the region, INCOIS is the coordinating institute for implementing the UNESCO-IOC 'Tsunami Ready' initiative in India. The institute has already begun pilot-scale activities to extend the program to all coastal states and union territories.
A Community-Driven Shield Against Disasters
Officials emphasize that the program's strength lies in its community-centric approach. Balakrishnan Nair, Director of INCOIS, highlighted the broader benefits of this proactive identification of vulnerable areas. "This is a community-driven initiative. States and UT governments need to be proactive in identifying the vulnerable communities and areas, which not only benefits in tsunami preparedness but in cyclones and similar hazards too," he stated. This holistic approach means that the infrastructure, plans, and awareness created for tsunami readiness also fortify communities against other frequent coastal disasters like cyclones, creating a multiplier effect for safety and resilience.
With this ambitious rollout, India is not just protecting its own vast coastline but is also setting a benchmark for community-led disaster risk reduction for the entire Indian Ocean region.
