(a) whether the Government is aware that the Tsunami buoys
and alert systems are in a bad shape and vandalized by some
unidentified elements;
(b) if so, the details thereof and its impact on the
forecast of weather reports in the country;
(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to repair
the Tsunami alert systems and to ensure their safety and
security; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING, MINISTER OF STATE IN
THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (DR. ASHWANI KUMAR)
(a) Yes Madam.
(b) Globally all countries, including India, are facing the vandalism
by some unidentified elements on the ocean observing systems and possible
steps are being discussed even at the level of Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
Despite the above, Government is making all efforts to maintain
sufficient redundancies to ensure the sustenance of the critical ocean
observing systems over the north Indian Ocean so that the tsunami warning
capability is not compromised at all.
(c) Yes Madam.
(d) Government is making several coordinated efforts through involvement
of Ministry of Defence (Coast Guard and Indian Navy), Ministry of Home Affairs
etc. Similarly efforts are made through
(i) raising awareness to Indian fishermen by distribution of pamphlets and
conducting workshops
(ii) buoy identification through World Meteorological Organization(WMO)
identification code
(iii) fitting buoys with beacon lights as per international standard IALA code
(iv) fitting radar reflector as per standard
(v) making the buoy surface slippery and protective hood to avoid tie-up by boats
(vi) making suitable structural changes so as to make difficult to remove
fixtures / fasteners, etc.
(vii) notifying the buoy locations through Mariners notice sent to National
Hydrographic Organization (NHO) to other neibouring naval watch area commanders