Tsunami mock drills on October 15 and November 5

India, together with a number of different Indian Ocean nations, will take part in a significant tsunami mock train —IOWave25 — on October 15, 11.30 a.m. and one other on November 5, 8.30 a.m. The first one will simulate magnitude 9.0 earthquake within the Makran Trench (off the Pakistan coast), affecting India’s west coast and Lakshadweep Islands.

The second will simulate magnitude 9.2 earthquake within the Sumatra Trench (off Northern Sumatra, Indonesia), impacting the east coast of India and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Each train will run in real-time for 12 hours, throughout which ITEWC (Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre) will problem 15 check bulletins. Measures will likely be taken to make sure the general public isn’t inadvertently alarmed.

The drill is being organized by the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/IOTWMS) beneath UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).

The train goals to boost tsunami preparedness, assess response capabilities throughout taking part nations, and strengthen regional coordination. It will check the usual working procedures (SOPs) of emergency companies and consider their readiness to reply to tsunami-like emergencies.

“The purpose is to interact all ranges of the tsunami warning and response chain, with a major deal with native coastal communities,” mentioned Director of the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) T.M. Balakrishnan Nair on Tuesday (October 14, 2025).

The (ITEWC), operated by INCOIS, serves as one of many Tsunami Service Providers (TSPs) for the Indian Ocean area, issuing advisories to India and 26 different Indian Ocean rim international locations. During IOWave25, ITEWC will act in its twin function as India’s National Tsunami Warning Centre (NTWC) and a regional TSP, issuing check bulletins through GTS, e mail, fax, SMS, and its web site.

“These workouts supply a worthwhile alternative for stakeholders to check their tsunami warning and response mechanisms, elevate public consciousness, and strengthen general preparedness. They additionally assist establish and handle gaps within the warning and communication chain,” Dr. Nair added.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Coastal Disaster Management Organizations of States and Union Territories, the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), important coastal installations, ports, harbours, and different maritime stakeholders will actively take part.

The IOWave25 train additionally supplies a possibility for Tsunami Ready implementing States and UTs to reveal their preparedness in keeping with the UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme (TRRP). It will assist assess the effectiveness of community-based preparedness, response mechanisms, and public consciousness initiatives aimed toward attaining and sustaining “Tsunami Ready” standing, as per a press launch.