Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC)
Why in news?
The Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) is located at INCOIS, Hyderabad, and operates 24/7 to monitor, detect, and issue timely tsunami advisories for India and 25 other Indian Ocean countries.
Background
- The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami was one of the deadliest disasters in history, prompting India to establish its own early warning system.
- The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, was tasked with setting up and operating the centre.
How It Works?
- Real-time seismic stations: Detect undersea earthquakes that may trigger tsunamis.
- Bottom Pressure Recorders (BPRs): Installed in the deep ocean to measure changes in water pressure caused by tsunami waves.
- Tide gauges: Monitor sea-level changes along the coast.
- Decision Support System (DSS): Uses scenario databases and vulnerability models to assess risk and issue advisories.
- Communication network: Advisories are disseminated to government agencies, coastal communities, and international partners using multiple channels.
Regional Role
- India’s centre is recognized as a Regional Tsunami Service Provider (RTSP) by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
- It provides tsunami warnings to 25 Indian Ocean countries, making it a critical hub for regional disaster preparedness.
Community Preparedness
- India is implementing the UNESCO-IOC “Tsunami Ready” programme, ensuring coastal villages are trained and equipped for emergencies.
- By 2025, India will have over 100 tsunami-ready villages, the highest in the Indian Ocean region.
Challenges & Importance
- Challenge: Maintaining real-time accuracy across vast oceanic areas.
- Importance: Saves lives by issuing warnings within minutes of detection.
- Future goal: Expand community resilience and integrate advanced AI-driven modelling for faster predictions.
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