Port Blair, June 7: The Chief Scientist of Andaman and Nicobar Centre of National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Dr Vinith Kumar informed today that the ‘Early Tsunami Warning System’ installed by the centre at Rangachang can predict the impending Tsunamis immediately after the earth quake.
Addressing the IMPCC meet held at the Centre at Dollygunj this morning, Dr Vineet Kumar said the system can predict Tsunami within 3 minutes after the occurrence of the initial tremors and send the alerts. He clarified that the system could not predict the tsunami before the occurrence of earth quakes. The system will assess the impact of waves during the earthquakes for the possibility of triggering tsunami waves and then send the alerts. Thereafter, the tsunami alert will be issued to the risk zones by the Home Ministry in consultation with Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services at Hyderabad. (INCOIS)
He also informed that the centre installed 10 Fish Aggregating Devices called FADs in 10 locations across the islands, including Mayabandar, Dilgipur, Chidiayatapu, Hut Bay Car Nicobar and Campbell Bay for the benefits of the fishermen. These devices at the cost of Rs. 10 lakhs each have been designed and installed by the centre in collaboration with the department of fisheries to improve the fish catch of the fishermen. Explaining about the functioning of the device, he said the device fitted with a light could attract bigger fishes, especially Tuna fishes and thereby enabling the fishermen to catch huge quantity of fishes near the devices.
He also revealed that the centre is planning to have a solar desalination project in the islands at the suitable location in the near future.
Talking about the World Ocean day, he said the day will be observed tomorrow on the theme “together we have the power to protect the ocean”. He further said the centre is carrying out many vital projects to explore the rich resources of the ocean, besides creating awareness about its crucial role of providing resources, oxygen and medicine.
He also revealed that the centre developed an effective Islands Resource Information System (IRIS) for the better exploitation of the resources. The centre also produced a high resolution map of the region using high resolution satellite images, with the accurate locations of national sanctuaries, wild life parks and biosphere reserves. The map also contains 172 islands out of 572 islands believed to exist in the archipelago, he added.
The centre also conducted ocean impact studies in different risk zones and clearly pointed out the areas to be submerged during the inundation of sea water by 5 mtr. to 15 mtrs in hte inundation maps. He said the impact study report has been submitted to the islands administration to take necessary measures, particularly resettlement of the people in the risk areas, which are likely to be submerged in case of rising sea level during the earthquakes and Tsunamis.
Earlier, the Chairman of the IMPCC, R Mohan informed that the meet at NIOT is aimed at highlighting its important role in the preservation of Ocean resources in the islands. A special programme on the day would be telecast on the eve of the day, he informed.
The programme Executive of All India Radio, Ms. Mumtaz informed that the AIR celebrated its year-long golden jubilee with variety of programmes including the live performances by the internationally renowned musicians including Ghazal Singer Dr Roshan Bharati and Carnatic Vocalist Sankara Narayanan. The AIR also broadcasts a weekly programme WO YADEN based on the rare recordings from the AIR archives from this week, she said.