Hyderabad: India has emerged as a global leader in disaster warning systems, providing vital services to nations around the world, said Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh. Speaking at an event commemorating the 20th anniversary of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami held at the Indian National Center for Ocean Information Service (INCOIS) in Hyderabad on Thursday, Dr Singh highlighted India’s progress in ocean research and disaster preparedness.
He attributed the rapid growth of INCOIS to the priority given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2014. He described INCOIS as a state-of-the-art institute, globally recognized for its advancements in disaster warning systems. He also praised initiatives like the ‘Deep Sea Mission’ announced by Modi as major steps in ocean exploration and sustainable development.
In ongoing collaboration with UNESCO and the Tsunami Ready Initiative, Dr Singh noted that 24 Indian communities have been recognized for their preparedness under the programme. He stressed the need to integrate tsunami warnings with other ocean-related hazards, including storm surges and high waves, through an integrated multi-hazard early warning system.
Dr Singh also emphasized the importance of ocean exploration in India’s vision for a “Developed India”. With a vast coastline of 7,500 km and rich marine biodiversity, sustainable utilization of marine resources is critical to achieving national prosperity. “Initiatives like our deep sea mission and BioE3 [Biotechnology for Environment, Employment, and Economy] We are creating an ecosystem that contributes not only to biodiversity but also to national prosperity,’ he said.
Looking ahead, the minister revealed plans to “deploy one Indian in the deep sea and another in space, possibly by 2026, marking a historic milestone”.
INCOIS has also become a center of international cooperation, hosting a UNESCO Category 2 Training Center for Maritime Disaster Management. The Center is actively involved in global programs such as the Ocean Decade Tsunami Program, which seeks to ensure 100% tsunami-prepared communities by 2030.
Dr. Singh concluded by highlighting the role of INCOIS in India’s Vision 2047, emphasizing the importance of harnessing marine resources and enhancing disaster preparedness to build a self-reliant and resilient nation.
In the event, the secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Dr. M. Leading scientists and policy makers including Ravi Chandran were present, which paved the way for two decades of achievements and sustainable development.