IJSR - International Journal of Scientific Research

Priya Singh; R. K. Srivastava; R.K. Mall; O. P. Mishra

Volume : VI, Issue : IV, April - 2017

A lesson from 2004 Tsunamigenic SumatraAndaman earthquake and its damage scenario of AndamanNicobar Islands: Future Strategy for sustainable Coastal Risk Management for safer cities under climate change scenario

Priya Singh, R. K. Srivastava, R. K. Mall, O. P. Mishra

Abstract :

An earthquake (Mw 9.3) originated in the Indian Ocean off the western coast of Northern Sumatra on 26^thDecember 2004 was one of the worst impacted tsunamis in the annals of the disastrous events that caused catastrophe in Coastal regions of the Indian Ocean. The present study highlighted the causative factors that led to heavy losses to both property and people in coastal belts of the Indian Ocean. It is observed that lack of knowledge, complete ignorance about preparedness for tsunami induced risk mitigation, and unavailability of tsunami early warning system at the place compelled the Indian coastal regions to witness wide–scale damages to infrastructures by powerful tsunami, which generated public panic and traumas in the region. This paper is directed to address issues from the lesson learnt that involved into intricate tsunami generating processes as well as to understand what viable approaches to be adopted for tsunami risk mitigation for better coastal risk management with principal aim to assist emergency coastal managers and stakeholders in taking judicious actions to reduce the losses of lives, properties, flora, faunas, and environmental degradation in the affected region for risk resilient safer coastal cities. It is realized that the climate change is a major factor in causing more disasters (tsunamis) as compared to early times, rising temperature ultimately leading to melting of glaciers, which in turn leads to rise in sea level, so even small shaking of sea floor leads to huge water displacement, leading to tsunami. In this study, we suggested a tsunami induced coastal hazards risk mitigation model for the region, which is having utmost significance once integrated with multi–disciplinary techniques of coastal risk mitigation. We inferred that sustainable coastal risk management program under climate change scenario may be effective only when identification of the tsunami generating parameters along with the deciphering of factors responsible for the coastal hazards are to be made judiciously. Implementation of extensive capacity building programs on tsunami risk mitigation measures is an essential ingredient for developing risk resilient safer coastal cities for tsunami risk–prone region.