Tsunami
Tsunamis are giant waves caused by earthquakes or
volcanic eruptions under the sea. Out in the depths of the What Causes a Tsunami?
ocean, tsunami waves do not dramatically increase in
height. But as the waves travel inland, they build up to
higher and higher heights as the depth of the ocean
decreases. These awe-inspiring waves are typically caused by large,
undersea earthquakes at tectonic plate boundries. When
the ocean floor at a plate boundary rises or falls
suddenly, it displaces the water above it and launches
the rolling waves that will become a tsunami
Tsunamis may also be caused by underwater landslides
or volcanic eruptions. They may even be launched, as
they frequently were in Earth’s ancient past, by the
impact of a large meteorite plunging into an ocean.
IMPACTS OF TSUNAMI DO’S AND DON'TS
HUMANITARIAN: It has been reported that severe • If you are in a dangerous area, immediately turn
damage has been inflicted on ecosystems such as off the water, gas, and electricity and quickly
mangroves, coral reefs, forests, coastal move to a higher ground. .
wetlands,vegetation, sand dunes and rock formations, • We should stay far from sea beach
animal andplant biodiversity and groundwater. • After a tsunami has hit, all food and water
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: It has been reported that should be tested for contamination before they
severe damage has been inflicted on ecosystems suchas are eaten. Do not return to low-lying areas until
mangroves, coral reefs, forests, coastal the tsunami threat has passed and the "all clear"
wetlands,vegetation, sand dunes and rock formations, is announced. Don’t stay near the sea beach
animal andplant biodiversity and groundwater. • Don’t stay inside a vehicle. Stop the vehicle
ECONOMICAL IMPACT: The two main occupations taking care to be well away from the coast and in
affected by the tsunami were fishing and tourism. Their an area clear of trees, power lines and water
mpact on coastal fishing communities and the people living courses.
there.
Precautions after Tsunami • Stay tuned to a battery-operated radio for the latest emergency information. • Help
injured or trapped persons. • Give first aid where appropriate. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they
are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help. • Remember to help your neighbors who may require
special assistance--infants, elderly people, and people with disabilities. • Enter your home with caution.
• Stay out of damaged buildings. Return home only when authorities say it is safe. • Use a flashlight when entering
damaged buildings. • Check for electrical shorts and live wires. Do not use appliances or lights until an electrician
has checked the electrical system. • Open windows and doors to help dry the building. • Shovel mud while it is still
moist to give walls and floors an opportunity to dry. • Check food supplies and test drinking water. • Fresh food that
has come in contact with flood waters may be contaminated and should be thrown out. Have tap water tested by
the local health departmen
.Architectural and Structural Strategies
• Construct the buildings high enough above tide
• Install strong pillars or posts for the building
• Design for static and dynamic water pressure on the structural and nonstructural walls
• Anchor buildings to foundations Anchoring the columns to the foundation can help the constructions to withstand
lateral and uplift forces that are caused by tsunami waves.
• Apply reinforced concrete or heavy steel structure rather than using wooden skeleton
• Use Seawalls to protect the main structure of buildings
• Provide adequate openings in the ground floor of buildings to allow the waves to pass through
• Position bearing walls perpendicular to water flow.
• Allow non-structural elements at lower levels to break away rather than blocking the water
• Avoid erosion of the soil by adopting proper methods
• Pave the Floor Paving the paths and the roads exposed to waves, may help them to be more resistant against soil erosion
of the site which surrounds the building.
POLICIES IN INDIA NATIONAL POLICY ON
DISASTER MANAGEMENT (NPDM)
The National Policy on Disaster Management (NPDM) has been prepared in tune with and
in pursuance of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 with a vision to build a safe and
disaster resilient India by developing a holistic, proactive, multi-disaster oriented and
technology driven strategy through a culture of prevention, mitigation, preparedness and
response.
The NPDM aims to bring in transparency and accountability in all aspects of disaster
management through involvement of community, community based organizations,
Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), local bodies and civil society.
THE DISASTER MANAGEMENT ACT, 2005
• The Act provides for the legal and institutional framework for the effective management
of disasters. The Act mandates creation of new institutions and assignment of specific
roles for Central, State and Local Governments. Under the provisions of the Act, the
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)has been established under the
Chairmanship of the Prime Minister and National Executive Committee (NEC) of
Secretaries has been created to assist the NDMA in the performance of its functions.
DISASTER MANAGEMENT FOR TSUNAMI IN
INDIA
• DISASTER MANAGEMENT :It can be defined as the organization and
management of resources and responsibilities for dealing with all
humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in particular preparedness,
response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters.
THE COMPRHENESIVE DISASTER
MANAGEMENT(CDM) CYCLE
DIASTER MANAGEMENT CYCLE
ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED
Research Institutions (Sponsored Research)Ministry of
• PREVENTION Earth Science (IMD, DOD, DST)Ministry of Water
ResourcesMinistry of Agriculture
Central Govt. (NDMA. MHA, MUD, MoEF andother related
• MITIGATION ministries and departments)State Govt. (Various
Departments)District/Local Administration and NGO’s
• PREPAREDNESS Central Govt. (NDMA. MHA, MUD, MoEF)State
Govt.District/Local Administration and NGO’s
DIASTER MANAGEMENT CYCLE
ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED
• RESPONSE Central Govt. (NDMA. MHA)State Govt.District/Local
Administration and NGO’s RELIEF Central Govt. (NDMA.
MHA)State Govt.District/Local Administration and NGO’s
• REHABILITATION Central Govt. (Integrated efforts ofvarious ministries and
departments)State Govt.District/Local Administration and
NGO’s
Central Govt. (Integrated efforts ofvarious ministries and
departments)State Govt.District/Local Administration and
• RECONSTRUCTION NGO’s
• LONG TERM RECOVERY Central, State, Local Govt. and NGO’s
• MITIGATION:
During the mitigation phase structural and non-structural measures are undertaken
to limit the adverse impact of natural hazards, environmental degradation and
technological hazards.
• STRUCTURAL MITIGATION MEASURES
Permanent structures strictly according to BIS codes
Retrofitting of vulnerable structures for tsunami/cyclone resistance
Retrofitting of important buildings
I. Fire stations / police stations/ army structures/ hospitals.
II. VIP residences / offices/ railways, airport, etc.
III. Schools/colleges.
IV. Hazardous industries
V. Other critical structures (i.e. power stations, warehouses, oil and other storage
tanks)
MITIGATION MEASURES
NON-STRUCTURAL MITIGATION MEASURES
Education Public Awareness
Information
Risk Communication
Training to all concerned(Govt. officials, search and rescue workers,
volunteers, women, children, elderly, local community as a whole)
Coastal regulations Zone Act – Strict implementation (no
development within 500 m of the high tide line with elevation of less
than 10 m above m.s.l)
Land use Zoning in accordance with CRZ
RESPONSE:
• Actions carried out in a disaster situation with the objective to save
life, alleviate suffering and reduce economic losses.
• Emergency Tsunami Response.
• Emergency Search and Rescue.
• Emergency Relief.
• Incident Response System.
• Community-Based Disaster Response.
RECOVERY:
• In the recovery phase, also referred to as the recovery and
rehabilitation phase, activities a regarded towards the restoration of
basic services and the beginning of the repair of physical, social and
economic damage e.g. lifelines, health and communication facilities,
as well as utility systems.
TSUNAMI 2004 IN INDIA
• The earthquake and resulting tsunami in the Indian Ocean on
December 26th, 2004 had a devastating effect on India. According to
the Indian government, almost 11,000 people died in the tsunami and
over 5,000 are missing and feared dead (Ministry of Home Affairs).
Along Indias southeastern coast, several villages weres wept away,
and thousands of fishermen at sea were missing.
• The 9.0 magnitude (for 5 minutes) quake created a series of tsunamis
that caused great destruction and loss of life throughout the Indian
Ocean basin, within several hours of the initial event.
AREAS EFFECTED BY TSUNAMI 2004 IN INDIA
ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS:
• The tsunami hit hard the Andaman and Nicobar group which comprises of a total of 572
islands of which 38 were significantly inhabited.The waves literally washed away some of
these islands.
KERALA:
• The tsunami killed many people (official toll 168) and caused extensive destruction
particularly at Kollam (131 dead), Alappuzha (32) and Ernakulam (5) were also affectd.
PONDICHERRY:
• In the Union territory of Pondicherry, the affected districts werevPondicherry (107 dead),
Karaikal (453 dead). The latest official toll was 560. An estimated30,000 people were
rendered homeless
