Disaster Warning System

The Department of Ocean Development in association with Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Space (DOS) and CSIR Laboratories, is setting up an Early Warning System for Tsunami and Storm Surges in the Indian Ocean.

The existing analogue Cyclone Warning Dissemination System of India Meteorological Department (IMD), with 250 receivers installed along the Indian coast, are to be replaced with a state-of-art system. The new system will provide more lead time to the disaster management officials and better voice quality for easy comprehension.

As regard to the earthquake, at present there is no advance warning system available, the world over, that can forecast the occurrences of earthquake. However, the observational network of seismological observatories maintained and operated by IMD is capable of effective surveillance in the country.

Generation of disaster warning is a multi-institutional endeavour. Different institutions namely Geological Survey of India, Central Water Commission and Defence Research and Development Organisation are responsible for early warning for landslides, flood and avalanches respectively, while IMD is mandated to monitor the tropical cyclones and earthquakes in the country and provide necessary information/warnings to Government officials and public for disaster mitigation.

This information was given by the Minister for Science & Technology and Ocean Development, Shri Kapil Sibal in the Lok Sabha today.

Source : Press Information Bureau
Date : March 03, 2006