The Hindu Business Line : Tsunami warning system by Sept 2007

THE Indian initiative for the Rs 125-crore dual-use early warning system for tsunami and storm surges will start issuing definitive forecasts along with the likely landfall and inundation they could cause from September 2007.

Stating this, the Secretary, Union Department of Ocean Development (DoD), Dr Harsh K. Gupta, said that the Indian effort, launched in February will be completed in 30 months.

It will focus on the two known tsunamigenic zones — Indonesian seismic zone and its extensions, about 40,000 km in length and the Makran source, which can trigger tsunamis that can impact the vast Indian coastline.

The DoD is coordinating the effort, with the Centre to be located in Hyderabad. The Union Government has allocated Rs 20 crore for fiscal 2005-06. Tide gauges linked through satellite, high frequency radars to study sea surface phenomenon and other key equipment are being put in place.

The detailed project report has been finalised. Key project executives have been identified. The Ministry of Home Affairs is in the process of notifying the DoD as the institution responsible for issuing tsunami warning, he said, while delivering the Dr Y. Nayudamma memorial lecture organised by the Andhra Pradesh Akademi of Sciences on Monday.

The inclusion of storm surges makes the warning system more practical on two counts — 13 per cent of the world's cyclones are reported from the seas around India and a dedicated tsunami warning (tsunamis occur rarely) could become difficult, in view of maintaining a system monitoring a rare phenomenon, he said.

Dr Gupta said, for a tsunami to be triggered an earthquake of magnitude above 7 on the Richter Scale has to occur in the two tsunamigenic regions.

The Akademi presented the Dr Y. Nayudamma memorial award to Mr P.V.N. Raju, Chairman of the Gland Pharma, a pioneer in the manufacture of pre-filled syringes and heparin, an anti-coagulant used in heart and kidney surgery.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Raju said the pharma industry was witnessing a superb growth. From the present turnover of Rs 30,000 crore, it is expected to grow to Rs 75,000 crore by 2015.

Similarly the investments in research and development have grown from Rs 3 crore in 1965 to Rs 500 crore in 2005.

He expected India to emerge as a major destination for foreign pharma majors, especially with the country putting in place the new patent regime.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page