Explain the details of Tsunami Warning System of India.
In short
India's Tsunami Warning System, built after the 2004 tsunami and run by INCOIS Hyderabad under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, uses seismic stations, Bottom Pressure Recorders and tide gauges to detect undersea quakes. It can issue a first advisory within about 10 minutes, relayed via MHA and state emergency centres.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 268 words
Integrated Monitoring Network
India’s system combines seismic stations and Bottom Pressure Recorders (BPRs), with four BPRs in the Bay of Bengal and two in the Arabian Sea, enabling rapid detection of seismic events and sea-level anomalies.
Data Transmission and Alert Generation
Seismic data reaches INCOIS in real time, which can issue the first tsunami advisory within about 10 minutes using satellite communication, including Iridium transceivers.
Advanced Infrastructure
INCOIS employs sophisticated sensors and computational models to analyze seismic data and predict tsunami wave propagation, supported by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Institutional Coordination
INCOIS coordinates with the Indian Meteorological Department and international oceanographic bodies; state-level centers like Andhra Pradesh’s State Emergency Operations Centre implement localized responses per NDMA’s Tsunami Risk Management Guidelines.
State and Central Response
The Ministry of Home Affairs and state governments disseminate warnings and coordinate evacuations; Andhra Pradesh integrates tsunami alerts into coastal disaster plans.
Operational Success and Challenges
The system successfully detected the 2007 Indonesia tsunami threat, though audits reveal gaps in buoy coverage and funding, requiring upgrades.
Network Expansion
Plans include increasing active BPRs and automated observatories, especially along Andhra Pradesh’s vulnerable coast, to improve real-time1 accuracy.
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Question from the official APPSC Group-I Mains 2016 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.