Application of collected data
Presentations at the DBCP Technical Workshop
Buenos Aires, Argentina, 17-18 October 2005

Theme 1: Applications of buoy data

2. Indian Perspective on Early Warning System for Oceanogenic Disasters

Author: K. Premkumar (National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai, India)

Abstract: The Tsunami on December 26, 2004 generated by an earthquake off the west coast of Northern Sumatra caused a major disaster for the Indian Ocean rim countries, which were not prepared for the ocean’s fury of this vast magnitude. No countries in the region had an early Tsunami warning system to identify the generation of a Tsunami or could get little help from the International community regarding its formation. India was one among the worst affected nations which suffered loss of 12,405 human life and damages around USD 2.56 billion was the first to announce to build a Tsunami warning system for the Indian Ocean region. India systematically carry out observation in its waters using Drifting Buoys, Moored Buoys, Argo Floats, Tide Gauges, Satellites, Research Vessels, Voluntary Observing ships etc. India is an active participant in various international programmes and most of the data collected are shared with international community through GTS.

Government of India through Department of Ocean Development (DOD) is now in the process of establishing a tsunami warning system for the Indian Ocean region. National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) Chennai under the DOD is already maintaining 20 buoy network in Indian Seas through National Data Buoy Programme (NDBP) and is poised for further growth. Bottom Pressure Recorders (BPR) integrated with these buoys can be used for Tsunami warning. India has a plan to deploy such 10 buoys in the Indian Ocean region. Along with the Tsunami buoys, dedicated networks of seismic stations, HF radars, Tide gauges, Current meters etc. having realtime communication will form an integrated tsunami warning system. The time series data from this network will enhance the predictive capability of existing warning systems for other oceanogenic disasters like cyclones, storm surges etc.