9 coastal panchayats in Keralam equipped for UNSECO assessment as ‘tsunami-ready’

The Keralam government has informed the National Tsunami Ready Board (NTRB) that nine coastal panchayats in the State are ready for evaluation for recognition as ‘Tsunami Ready’ by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO).

The recognition is given based on specific indicators, achieved through a series of well-planned activities aimed at building resilience against tsunamis. The assessment process is likely to be held in November 2026 at the nine coastal panchayats identified in the first phase of the project.

It includes Karumkulam in Thiruvananthapuram; Alappad in Kollam; Purakkad in Alappuzha; Edavanakkad in Ernakulam; Eriyad in Thrissur; Veliyancode in Malappuram; Chemanchery in Kozhikode; Azhikode in Kannur; and Valiyaparamba in Kasaragod.

“The nine coastal panchayats have completed the tasks assigned as part of obtaining the tag of Tsunami Ready, which included carrying out training and capacity building, community awareness programmes and holding mock drills as part of improving tsunami awareness and community response,” said Sekhar L. Kuriakose, member secretary of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority.

Field verification

The field verification of the nine coastal panchayats will be carried out by the members of the NTRB, comprising scientists of the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services and officers of the National Disaster Management Authority. They will interact with the local communities to assess their preparedness.

Besides training and capacity building, some of the activities to be evaluated include preparation of tsunami management plans, identifying evacuation routes and installation of tsunami hoardings and signages. The NTRB will recommend the IOC-UNESCO to recognise the coastal panchayats as ‘Tsunami Ready’ based on their assessment.

Sajith K.A., president of the Edvanakkad grama panchayat in Ernakulam district, said various activities shortlisted as part of obtaining the certification had begun in 2022. “We have completed the listed objectives and are ready for evaluation. The local communities, including the fisherfolk, had actively participated in these initiatives,” he said.