Govt to invest Rs 125 cr in warning tech

The weather department says that the quake-induced tsunami in the Indian ocean, though rare, needs detailed study. Science and technology Minister Kapil Sibal has announced that Rs 125 crore will be invested in equipment to monitor tsunamis. But the parameters that need to be observed will be different from those in the tsunami prone Pacific Ocean. And though the 1,000 kilometre under the sea ridge formed by the quake can affect the flow of ocean currents, it is not expected to have a lasting effect.

Additonal DG, Indian Meteorological Dept, B Lal said, "In your terminology, it is a big event but much bigger events are marine life and ocean currents. So the incident may have some temporary effect but not for times to come."

Tsunamis travel at a speed of 750 km an hour. But the Met department wants to be better prepared for the next occurrence, if any.  Though the West coast is said to be relatively less quake prone, the weather department is taking no chances - it is installing tsunami monitoring equipment there as well.

Met officials say they are not going to take any chances and a team of scientists is leaving for the Andamans, to study the large scale displacement. Talks of a tsunami advanced warning system are already on but the system will have to include characteristics of the Indian Ocean and cannot be a copy of the Pacific Ocean model.