Villages in Odisha Recognized as 'Tsunami-Ready' by IOC-UNESCO

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (IOC-UNESCO) has acknowledged 24 tsunami-prone coastal villages in six districts of Odisha—Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, and Ganjam—as being Tsunami Ready.

According to a press statement from the state Revenue and Disaster Management Department released on Thursday, this recognition occurred during the 2nd Global Tsunami Symposium held in Indonesia on November 11, 2024.

The Tsunami Ready Recognition Certificates have been renewed for two villages in Odisha that were previously recognized for tsunami preparedness: Noliasahi in Jagatsinghpur district and Venkatraipur in Ganjam district. These communities were acknowledged as Tsunami Ready by IOC-UNESCO in 2020.

In total, 24 tsunami-prone villages have participated in the Tsunami Ready Recognition Program (TRRP) developed by IOC-UNESCO. These villages include:

- Balasore district: Jagannathpur, Jayadev Kasabapahi, Sahapur, Kanyanagari
- Bhadrak district: Mohanpur, Adhuan, Badahabelisahi, Sanakrushnapur
- Kendrapara district: Kantilo, Tantiapal Sasan, Kaitha
- Jagatsinghpur district: Bagheipur, Dhanuharbelari, Sahadabedi, Bhuyanpal
- Puri district: Keutjanga, Narasinghpatana, Khalakatapatana, Chhotipada
- Ganjam district: Uppulaputti, Prayagi, Kantiagada, Markandi

These initiatives aim to enhance community preparedness for potential tsunami events.

Official sources reported that various activities have been carried out in 24 tsunami-prone villages, including training and capacity-building for stakeholders, community awareness programs, distribution of tsunami awareness posters and leaflets, preparation of Tsunami Management Plans, conducting tsunami mock drills, identifying evacuation routes, and installing tsunami hoardings and evacuation signage according to the 12 indicators of the Tsunami Ready Programme.

In September 2024, members of the National Tsunami Ready Recognition Boards (NTRB), which include scientists from INCOIS in Hyderabad and officials from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), visited 26 coastal villages to verify compliance with the 12 indicators of the Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme (TRRP). After their assessment, the NTRB recommended that the communities in these 26 coastal villages of Odisha be recognized as Tsunami Ready Communities by IOC-UNESCO, as stated by the state R&DM department.

The recognition certificates were presented by Vidar Helgesen, Assistant Director-General of UNESCO and Executive Secretary of IOC-UNESCO, to E. Pattabhi Rama Rao, Scientist G at INCOIS, who represented India at a symposium held in Indonesia.

Odisha has 381 tsunami-prone coastal villages. The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) aims to make all tsunami-prone coastal communities 'tsunami ready' in a phased manner.