Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 20 September 2023
In a coordinated effort between the International Coordination Group for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/IOTWS) under UNESCO and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) located in Hyderabad, a critical tsunami communication exercise, known as IOWave23, is set to take place on October 4, 2023. The exercise will extend its reach to the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, marking a significant step in enhancing disaster preparedness and response across the Indian Ocean region.
The primary focus of the Indian Tsunami Early Warning System (ITEWS) at INCOIS is to monitor and provide timely warnings for potential tsunamis in the Indian Ocean. IOWave23 serves as a comprehensive test of the existing procedures within the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System, aimed at identifying operational strengths and weaknesses within each participating state and country.
During this exercise, the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) situated at INCOIS, Hyderabad, will simulate a tsunami threat scenario. Specifically, it will simulate a massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake occurring near the Andaman Trench at 0930 IST on October 4, 2023. Following this simulated earthquake, the ITEWC will issue alerts and warnings in the form of bulletins to all coastal states in India and other countries throughout the Indian Ocean region.
These alerts, warnings, and threat advisories will then be disseminated from the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) to various Emergency Operation Centres located on different islands, thus thoroughly testing the communication channels and response mechanisms.
Furthermore, IOWave23 serves as a comprehensive evaluation of the communication and response systems of all Emergency Support Functionaries in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. It is designed to stress-test and refine protocols, organizational standard operating procedures (SOPs), and policies related to tsunami warning and emergency response.
In light of the exercise, the general public has been advised not to panic during this Tsunami Mock Drill and Communication Test, which is set to commence at 0930 IST in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The scenario will mock a mega-earthquake and subsequent tsunami generation, allowing authorities and agencies to assess their preparedness and coordination for such critical events.
IOWave23 is a critical step in enhancing the resilience and readiness of nations bordering the Indian Ocean, ensuring a swift and coordinated response in the event of a real tsunami threat. The exercise underscores the commitment of participating states and organizations to safeguarding the lives and properties of their citizens and neighbors in the face of natural disasters.