Odisha’s 24 Coastal Villages Recognised as ‘Tsunami Ready’ by UNESCO

In a major achievement for Odisha, 24 coastal villages from six districts have been officially recognised as ‘Tsunami Ready’ by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. This recognition was granted during the 2nd Global Tsunami Symposium in Indonesia on November 11, 2024, marking a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to improve disaster preparedness and community resilience in tsunami-prone areas.

Details of the Recognition

The IOC-UNESCO’s ‘Tsunami Ready’ recognition includes 24 villages from the districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, and Ganjam. The recognition also involved the renewal of certificates for two previously recognised villages—Noliasahi (Jagatsinghpur) and Venkatraipur (Ganjam), which had already been acknowledged in 2020. These villages are part of Odisha’s broader strategy to ensure preparedness for tsunami threats.

The Tsunami Ready Programme

Under the Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme (TRRP), the 24 villages have implemented various preparedness measures including training, community awareness campaigns, mock drills, and installation of tsunami evacuation signages and hoardings. These efforts align with the 12 critical indicators of the Tsunami Ready Programme, aimed at building capacity and reducing vulnerability.

Ongoing and Future Efforts

Odisha has 381 tsunami-prone coastal villages. The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) plans to extend the ‘Tsunami Ready’ recognition to all of these villages in phases. The initiative highlights the state’s commitment to safeguarding coastal communities from natural disasters, leveraging global frameworks like the IOC-UNESCO’s recognition and national resources like INCOIS and NDMA for effective implementation.

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