Coastal Preparedness and Response in India

IMPLEMENTING NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN OF INDIA Coastal Preparedness and Response in India ndia has the longest coastline harbours as they have the potential leading actor in seaplane making Iamong all the countries in South to become the hub of economic and related investments. Asia. The country's 7,517 kms of activity in the country in the next 3 coastline gives it unparalleled access to 5 years. In many ways seaplanes offer to the seas, it also makes India connectivity for disaster response highly prone to coastal disasters An estimated US$ 18.6 billion will and preparedness in coastal areas. such as cyclones, storm surges and be invested in major ports and US$ tsunamis. The coastal areas and 28.5 billion in non-major ports by Last month, China unveiled its coastal communities of India that 2020. Under the Sagarmala domestically developed AG600, a bear a major brunt of these disasters Programme, the Government of massive four-engined amphibian must appear more often in the India has envisioned a total of 189 plane that can carry 50 people and disaster management plans of projects for modernisation of ports suck in upto 12 tonnes of water in various states and districts. Oddly involving an investment of INR 1.42 20 seconds for firefighting enough, this is not the case. trillion (US$ 22 billion) by the year operations. Such crafts can deliver a 2035. (IBEF, 2017) wide range of relief supplies in As mentioned earlier, the coastal coastal areas and ports. areas face an increasing risk of One of the key areas for coastal cyclones, floods and salinity ingress preparedness and response is Russia has the Beriev Be-200, a in addition to tsunamis. The delta mobility and connectedness after a twinjet amphibian that's mainly used areas, such as the Sundarbans, are disaster. In the aftermath of a for firefighting operations. It also especially vulnerable. disaster, the citizens often get cut manufactures ekranoplans, which from land and sea both, and have to skim a short distance over water at Recent cyclone Okhi in November wait for days or over weeks for basic great speed. They are distinct from and December, 2017 caused severe heavy supply of food, water and hovercraft in not requiring a cushion damages to structures and property health inputs. Seaplanes offer one of air. Be-200 remain close to sea claiming the lives of 218 lives in the more choice to deliver relief and water. Southern parts of Tamilnadu and rescue on land and in sea to Indian Kerala in India. citizens. As a follow up to National Disaster Management Plan, India is The Government of Gujarat has Seaplanes, planes that land and take- developing a national community decided to establish a satellite-based off from sea (or large suitable water development road map. This road tracking and warning system on body) may be a step in the direction map will include, special roles for about 12,000 fishing boats at a cost of coastal preparedness and response coastal states such as Andhra Pradesh of 95 crore INR. in India. on the east and Gujarat on the west coast. Maharashtra has begun colour- The Transport Ministry as well as coding fishing boats district-wise Civil Aviation Ministry have shown The ongoing World Bank program rather than assigning a common interest in developing seaplanes as in coastal India titled Integrated colour to all boats registered in the an additional measure to connect Coastal Zone Management has so far state. Since 2015, the Mumbai police citizens and growing trade and depended only on existing modes of have been using 18 boats to patrol commerce within India and abroad. transport. It has not explored the Mumbai's coastline every day. potential use of seaplanes in both, The interest in widespread use of preparedness and response in coastal Kerala had set up a coastal police seaplanes is also shown by private areas such as Andhra Pradesh and force to add an extra layer of sector organizations such as Spice Jet Odisha. protection and prevent the intrusion in India, which has announced a of any anti-national elements or plan to buy 100 seaplanes from Perhaps the most important need is illicit items through the sea. (PwC, Setouchi Holdings, Japan. to initiate a scoping study that not only 2017) reviews the existing needs but also Spice Jet is a private airline in India looks at emerging transportation India is investing public money to recovering, from an economic loss needs from the point of view of the develop ports and harbours. Private with vitality and vision. National Disaster Response Force in corporations—Indian and others— coastal locations. are investing in coastal ports and Setouchi Holdings of Japan is a — AIDMI Team February 2018 southasiadisasters.net 1.

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