People frequently refer to tsunamis as “silent murderers.” Talk about the causes of tsunamis and the catastrophic effects they have on coastal areas.
According to WMO(World Meteorological Organization)- "Tsunami is a series of waves generated in a body of water by the displacement of large volume of water, usually as a result of earthquakes, landslides or volcanic eruptions". Formation of Tsunami - Displacement of water through earthquake, landslRead more
According to WMO(World Meteorological Organization)- “Tsunami is a series of waves generated in a body of water by the displacement of large volume of water, usually as a result of earthquakes, landslides or volcanic eruptions”.
Formation of Tsunami –
- Displacement of water through earthquake, landslides, volcanic eruptions or meteorites.
- Transfer of energy to the surrounding water.
- Wave formation and wave propagation at speed of upto 500 mph .
- Shoaling and amplification of waves led to pile up of water and increase in height near the coast.
- Tsunami waves reaches the coast causing widespread destruction and loss of life.
Tsunami preparedness involves –
- Preparedness and planning measures taken before a disaster strikes to minimize it’s impact ex-public education and mass awareness.
- Timely and accurate information to prevent and mitigate the impact of disasters.
- Emergency Response planning for unexpected events.
- Safe and orderly exit of the people.
- Recovery and rehabilitation efforts after the disaster.
- International cooperation for better management
- Technological Advancements enhance preparedness, response and recovery.
Mitigation Efforts taken by the governments –
- Creation of institutional framework like NDMA,INCOIS,IMD,NCMRWF.
- Coastal radar and surveillance system for early warning system.
- Tsunami resistant construction at Andaman and Nicobar islands .
- Regulatory measures like Disaster Management Act 2005 , Coastal Regulation Zone etc .
- Creation of Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC),Sendai framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2005 etc to promote international cooperation .
- Formation of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
A tsunami refers to a series of ocean waves that sends surges of water, sometimes attaining heights of over 100 feet (30.5 meters), onto land. They approach coastlines with little or no warning signs, making them highly dangerous and deadly, hence often referred to as silent killers. An illustrativeRead more
A tsunami refers to a series of ocean waves that sends surges of water, sometimes attaining heights of over 100 feet (30.5 meters), onto land. They approach coastlines with little or no warning signs, making them highly dangerous and deadly, hence often referred to as silent killers. An illustrative instance is the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which resulted in the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives and widespread destruction.
Triggers behind the Formation of Tsunamis:
Devastating Impact of Tsunamis on the Coastal Regions:
To conclude, tsunamis, aptly referred to as “silent killers,” are a formidable force of nature capable of causing widespread devastation in coastal regions. As we confront the reality that globally, more than 700 million people live in low-lying coastal areas and Small Island Developing States, residing in vulnerable coastal areas, it is imperative that we continue to invest in preparedness, early warning systems, and sustainable coastal development to mitigate the potentially catastrophic effects of future tsunamis.
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