GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

RAJYA SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 44
TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.03.2005

PRIOR INTIMATION OF TSUNAMI

*44. SHRI SANJAY RAUT:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

(a): whether Government had received any prior intimation of Tsunami from any Government or international agency;

(b): if so, the details thereof;

(c): whether Government are now considering to bring any technology for getting prior intimation of Tsunami and other natural disasters; and

(d): if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT

(SHRI KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT AS REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF RAJYA SABHA’S STARRED QUESTION NO. 44 FOR 03.03.2005 RAISED

BY SHRI SANJAY RAUT REGARDING "PRIOR INTIMATION OF TSUNAMI"

(a) & (b): No, Sir. We had not received any prior intimation of Tsunami from any Government or international agency.

(c) & (d): Yes, Sir. It is proposed to set up a multiple hazard monitoring and warning system covering Tsunami, Storm Surges and Cyclones in the Indian Ocean. The envisaged warning system includes, setting up of a dedicated network of seismic stations for earthquake/tsunami monitoring, deployment of pressure sensors, digital tide gauges, Data buoys, radars and ocean current meters for forecasting of the movement of Tsunami, cyclones and ocean surges, modeling of inundation scenarios for the entire Indian coast, bathymetry surveys and establishment of a centre for collection of the information, analysis and dissemination of warnings. Department of Science & Technology, Department of Ocean Development, Department of Space and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research will be the major participating agencies in this endeavour.