Tsunami Alert Systems
The Tsunami buoys and alert systems are functioning as planned. The Indian national Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad a unit of the Earth System Science Organisation (ESSO) has been issuing tsunami early warning within 10 minutes of occurrence of earthquake in the Indian Ocean Region. Recognising the performance on issuing of Tsunami early warning, the ESSO - INCOIS centre has been recognised as the Regional Tsunami Service Provider for the Indian Ocean Region, by Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO.
Currently, a set of six tsunami buoys are working and transmitting data real time to data to the ESSO - INCOIS, Hyderabad. The data being obtained from a number of observational networks, such as, Seismometers, GPS measurements, Tide Gauges, Bottom pressure records are utilised for issue of tsunami advisories. Besides, pre-run models outputs are used to issue the location specific advisories, on travel time and run-up heights at 1800 coastal forecast points in the Indian Ocean. The Tsunami buoys and alert system have no impact on the forecast of weather reports in the country.
Since the buoys are deployed in the deep in the ocean, systematic servicing is conducted periodically. Recently, the buoys deployed in the Bay of Bengal were serviced by Research Vessels Sagar Nidhi and Sagar Kanya. Technical expertise is available with ESSO - NIOT to service these buoys systems. Considering the complexity of system regional and global level coordination is in place to share experience and expertise, to sustain the Tsunami Warning System.
Union Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Shri S.Jaipal Reddy gave this information in reply to a written question in the Rajya Sabha today.
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