Question : TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEM

(a) whether the Government is installing Early Tsunami Warning system;

(b) if so, the funds allocated for the purpose with sources of funds, geographical areas covered and the time by when the work is likely to be completed etc.;

(c) whether such technology is being indigenously developed or is being imported/developed with foreign assistance;

(d) if so, the details of the assistance offered by any foreign country or international institution viz. Japan and UNO and the reaction of the Government of India in this regard;

(e) whether any Committee or Task Force has been constituted for this purpose;

(f) if so, the details thereof;

(g) whether any International Tsunami Warning System with common platform to share information on Tsunami and other calamities has been proposed;

(h) if so, the details thereof;

(I) the reasons for India not joining Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre earlier and its decision to join it now;

(j) the names of neighbouring countries having such warning system;

(k) whether the Ministry has declared year 2005 as `Disaster Awareness Year`; and

(l) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE DEPARTMENT OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT ( KAPIL SIBAL)

a) Yes sir. It is proposed to set up a `tsunami and storm surges warning system` in the country with the following components:

-	Strengthening of the existing seismological network to indicate near real time occurrence	of a tsunamigenic earthquake.
-	Installation of tsunami warning sensors close to the ocean bottom at appropriate locales	in the Indian Ocean, with real time connectivity.
-	Tide gauge and data buoys networking.
-	Modeling of the inundation scenarios for the entire coast.
-	The establishment of a center for collection of the information , analysis and	generating status advisories.