Comment on the resource potentials of the long coastline of India and highlight the status of natural hazard preparedness in these areas.

• The Tsunami, or also called as 'killer waves' are formed due to underwater tectonic activity or disturbance causing ripples of energy in ocean waters. • The vast amount of energy released, as a result of such activity, leads to sudden manifestation of waves that are violent and cause huge destruction of life and property. • The tectonic activity beneath the oceans, is related to subduction zones of oceanic crust under continental plates. • Tsunamis can also be triggered via volcanic activity under oceans which is violent and destructive in nature. • Under deep ocean, Tsunamis are not formidable due to great depth and volume beneath, but when it reaches coast, it suddenly grows in heights above 50 metres and becomes violent, submerging underneath vast tracts of land and causing huge damage to life and property. • The tsunami incident of 2004, highlights India's vulnerability to tsunamis. Before 2004, the Tsunamis were not considered by the "High powered committee on envisaging disaster management framework" while characterisation and grouping of disaster. • Deep sea trenches near the coast of Indonesia and Phillipines are a major source of earthquake induced Tsunamis. • In lieu of dangers and vulnerability involved, India has installed a comprehensive "Indian Tsunami Early warning system" (ITEWS) for early detection of Tsunamis. • International cooperation, through forums like IOR-ARC (Indian Ocean Region - Association of Regional countries) should be promoted for collaborative action and relief measures. • Use of advanced satellites, information technology, communication strategies should be employed to fully harness the advancements made. • Earth based warning dissemination systems should be employed, to give line warning to nearby coastal living communities for disaster preparedness, mitigation. • Highly developed institutional mechanisms should be developed for ready response, rehabilitation and relief.