Odisha's Anjai Village Becomes Tsunami-Ready with International Aid
Anjai village in Odisha achieves tsunami-ready status through global collaboration, boosting disaster preparedness.
Photo by Bernard Hermant
Anjai village in Odisha's Jagatsinghpur district is on track to achieve "tsunami-ready" status, a significant step in enhancing disaster preparedness. This initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) and UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
The program focuses on training local communities, establishing robust early warning systems, and developing effective evacuation plans. Anjai is one of 100 coastal villages in Odisha identified for this crucial program, reflecting a broader national commitment to strengthening resilience against natural disasters, particularly in the wake of lessons learned from the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.
Key Facts
Anjai village in Jagatsinghpur district, Odisha
Collaboration with Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) and UNESCO-IOC
Part of 100 coastal villages program in Odisha
UPSC Exam Angles
Disaster Management framework in India (NDMA, DM Act 2005)
Role of international organizations (UNESCO-IOC, PTWC) in disaster risk reduction
Community-based disaster preparedness and resilience
Geographical aspects of tsunamis and coastal vulnerability in India
International frameworks for Disaster Risk Reduction (e.g., Sendai Framework)
Visual Insights
Anjai Village: India's 'Tsunami-Ready' Initiative & Coastal Vulnerability
This map highlights Anjai village in Odisha, which is on track to achieve 'Tsunami Ready' status, contextualizing it within India's broader coastal vulnerability and international collaboration for disaster preparedness. It shows key locations related to the news and the international partners involved.
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Milestones in India's Tsunami Preparedness & Disaster Risk Reduction (2004-2025)
This timeline illustrates the evolution of India's disaster management framework, particularly focusing on tsunami preparedness, from the catalyst of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami to recent initiatives like the 'Tsunami Ready' program.
The devastating 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami served as a critical turning point for India, shifting its disaster management approach from reactive relief to a holistic, proactive, and multi-hazard strategy. This led to significant legislative, institutional, and policy reforms, culminating in enhanced preparedness and international collaboration, as exemplified by the 'Tsunami Ready' initiative.
- 2004Devastating Indian Ocean Tsunami (Dec) - Catalyst for policy shift
- 2005Disaster Management Act enacted - Shift to proactive, holistic approach
- 2007Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (IOTWMS) becomes operational
- 2009National Policy on Disaster Management released
- 2015India adopts Sendai Framework for DRR 2015-2030
- 2016National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) released
- 2017IOC/UNESCO launches 'Tsunami Ready' program globally
- 2018CRZ Notification 2018 released - Focus on sustainable development & climate resilience
- 2019Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) launched by India
- 2020-2023Expansion of 'Tsunami Ready' program in India (e.g., Odisha, Andhra Pradesh)
- 2024Increased focus on AI/ML integration in early warning systems & forecasting
- 2025Anjai Village (Odisha) on track for 'Tsunami Ready' status with international aid
More Information
Background
Latest Developments
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the 'Tsunami Ready' program and related initiatives in India: 1. The 'Tsunami Ready' status for Anjai village is a collaborative effort involving the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) and UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). 2. India's national tsunami early warning system is primarily managed by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS). 3. The program focuses exclusively on establishing technological early warning systems, with community training being a secondary aspect. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is correct as per the news, highlighting the international collaboration. Statement 2 is correct; INCOIS, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is India's nodal agency for tsunami early warnings. Statement 3 is incorrect; the program explicitly focuses on 'training local communities, establishing robust early warning systems, and developing effective evacuation plans,' indicating a comprehensive approach where community training is a primary focus, not secondary.
2. In the context of disaster management in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Disaster Management Act, 2005, provides for the constitution of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister. 2. State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) are chaired by the respective Chief Ministers. 3. District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) are responsible for approving district-level disaster management plans. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
All three statements are correct. The Disaster Management Act, 2005, is the legal framework for disaster management in India. It mandates the establishment of NDMA (chaired by PM), SDMAs (chaired by CMs), and DDMAs (chaired by District Collector/Magistrate/Deputy Commissioner) at national, state, and district levels respectively. DDMAs are indeed responsible for preparing and approving district disaster management plans.
3. Which of the following statements regarding tsunamis and their characteristics is/are correct? 1. Tsunamis are primarily caused by large-scale underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides. 2. In the deep ocean, tsunamis travel at very high speeds with long wavelengths and small wave heights. 3. The Bay of Bengal is considered seismically inactive and thus historically less prone to tsunamis compared to the Pacific Ocean. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1 is correct; these geological events displace large volumes of water, generating tsunamis. Statement 2 is correct; tsunamis are shallow-water waves (meaning their wavelength is much greater than the water depth) and travel very fast in deep oceans, often unnoticed due to their small height. Statement 3 is incorrect; while less active than the Pacific, the Bay of Bengal is not seismically inactive. The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, originating from an earthquake off Sumatra, severely impacted countries bordering the Bay of Bengal, demonstrating its vulnerability. The Andaman-Nicobar seismic zone is active and can generate tsunamis affecting the Bay of Bengal.
4. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below: List-I (International Initiative/Organization) 1. Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2. Hyogo Framework for Action 3. UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) 4. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) List-II (Primary Focus/Context) A. Global coordination for ocean science and services, including tsunami warning systems B. Successor to a previous global framework for disaster risk reduction C. Established in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, focused on DRR D. Operational tsunami warning for the Pacific Ocean and collaborating globally Code: 1 2 3 4 A) B C A D B) C B D A C) B C D A D) A B C D
- A.B C A D
- B.C B D A
- C.B C D A
- D.A B C D
Show Answer
Answer: A
1. Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) is the successor to the Hyogo Framework (B). 2. Hyogo Framework for Action (2005-2015) was adopted in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and focused on DRR (C). 3. UNESCO's IOC coordinates global ocean science and services, including the Tsunami Early Warning and Mitigation Systems (A). 4. PTWC, based in Hawaii, provides operational tsunami warnings for the Pacific Ocean and collaborates with other regional systems (D). Therefore, the correct match is 1-B, 2-C, 3-A, 4-D.
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Source Articles
In Indian Ocean region, 100 villages to be tsunami-ready | India News - The Indian Express
The day the sea took everything: Remembering the 2004 tsunami 20 years later | India News - The Indian Express
20 years after Indian Ocean tsunami, India is better prepared | The Indian Express
Backwaters, narrow land stretches make Kerala more vulnerable to tsunamis: INCOIS | India News - The Indian Express