Govt setting up Tsunami Warning System: Sibal

New Delhi, May 15: The Government is setting up its own Early Warning System for Tsunami and Storm Surges in Indian Ocean at the total cost of Rs 125 crore, Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal informed the Rajya Sabha today.

The Warning system would have components like installation of tsunami warning sensors close to the ocean bottom at appropriate locales in Indian Ocean with real time connectivity.

He said it wouldinclude tide guage and data buoys networking to validate arrival of tsunami waves at the coast, strengthening of the existing seismological network to indicate, near real time occurrence of tsunamigenic earthquakes, Modelling of the innundation scenarios for the entire coast and mapping of potential risk areas, collection of information, analysis and generating status advisories.

A centre would be set up at Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Hyderabad on round the clock basis. The system is scheduled to be operational by September, 2007. The earmarked fund for the tenth plan is Rs 115 crore, he informed.

An interim early warning mechanism is presently operational at INCOIS, Hyderabad. Under this project eleven tide guages have already been installed and they have been connected through GSM for real time data transmission. These will be upgraded to satellite link.

Two Coastal Radars have been installed off Chennai and they are operating satisfactorily. The process of strengthening the seismic network involving 17 seismic stations for near real time detection of earthquakes has also been initiated. The procurement process of Bottom Pressure Recorders for the detection of propogation of tsunami generated waves is in advanced stage, Mr Sibal informed.

UNI