Science plan for coastal hazard preparedness

Abstract

The tsunami that hit the coast of India on 26 December 2004 reminded the country that our 7000 km long coastline is exposed to hazards and that we are not prepared to face all of them. Preparedness to guard against hazards requires that we examine scientifically all issues associated with them. Hence, a science plan, including its implementation to address these issues, was prepared at a national workshop held at the National Institute of Oceanography, Goa. The plan identifies the factors that determine vulnerability of a coastal area to hazards and the hazards that are experienced along the Indian coast. Preparedness is defined and the science issues that need to be addressed to enhance our preparedness are identified. The issues are categorized into seven areas. (i) Identification of past storm surges and tsunamis in tide-gauge data, and their simulation; (ii) reconstruction of time series of past storm surges and tsunamis from geological record; (iii) geomorphology, nearshore bathymetry, and coastal inundation; (iv) coastal pollution; (v) seismicity; (vi) engineering; and (vii) education. Plan for implementation is also presented.