India's Tsunami Early Warning System: Operational Since 2007
India's Tsunami Early Warning System: Operational Since 2007
IN · Published Sep 12, 2026
India's Tsunami Early Warning Centre, operated by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) in Hyderabad under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has been providing rapid detection and alerts for tsunami-generating earthquakes and sea-level changes since October
The system includes a seismic network for earthquake detection, bottom-pressure recorders in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, coastal tide gauges, and a pre-computed database of tsunami scenarios. Alerts are categorised into warning, alert, and watch, with the first bulletin issued within 10–20 minutes of detection. Recognised internationally by UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission in 2011, the centre serves as a Tsunami Service Provider for the Indian Ocean alongside Australia and Indonesia. Odisha's Venkatraipur (Ganjam) and Noliasahi (Jagatsinghpur) were the first Indian communities certified as 'Tsunami Ready'.

Impact & Risks

The Indian Ocean region, including India's coastal areas, remains vulnerable to tsunamis, particularly those originating from the Andaman trench. Tsunamis can cause widespread destruction, loss of life, and displacement of communities. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which claimed over 10,000 lives in India, highlighted the devastating impact of such events. Despite the advanced warning system, tsunamis originating close to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands can reach the shores within minutes, leaving little time for evacuation. Coastal communities, especially those in low-lying areas, are at higher risk of inundation and damage.

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