Are we Ready for a Major Tsunami in the Indian Ocean?

The Indian Tsunami Early Warning System (ITEWS) was established at the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Hyderabad in October 2007 following the devastating tsunami on 26 December 2004. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (IOC/UNESCO) coordinated with the National Tsunami Warning Centers in the Indian Ocean region and promoted the establishment of a well-knit tsunami early warning system called Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (IOTWMS) so that all countries on the Indian Ocean can get benefitted. The end-to-end capabilities of this warning system have been well-proven during the tsunamigenic earthquakes that occurred since September 2007. The capability of the system is examined, with special reference to Indian Tsunami Early Warning System (ITEWS), to ascertain the readiness of the Indian Ocean region to face a major tsunami.