2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake free essay sample

Integrated Coastal Zone Management A comprehensive assessment of the tsunami impact on the coastal zone is needed. Such an assessment would provide an important predicate to the development of a much needed integrated coastal zone management planning process. A study of the hydrodynamics around reef-top islands would provide valuable information for the design of coastal engineering and disaster management structures. Capacity building in the field of coastal engineering is also needed, as are studies of erosion management techniques and the development of technical guidelines for shore protection methods and procedures. These studies and guidelines could be prepared by a proposed Coastal Zone Engineering Unit that would operate in the MEC. Early Warning System A regional tsunami warning system needs to be established in the Indian Ocean. The establishment of an Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning system will take an estimated two to three years. During this transition period, a National Tsunami Warning System linked with a national tropical cyclone and storm surge (high wave) alert is needed within the Department of Meteorology. We will write a custom essay sample on 2004 Indian Ocean Earthquake or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This system could be linked to the warning systems of eighbouring countries, particularly India and Sri Lanka. Strong links must be developed between efforts to adapt to climate change and strategies to reduce risks from natural hazards. Many hazards experienced by the Maldives are related to the sea. The projected sea level rise may result in enhanced severity of some hazards and their impacts. Efforts focused on natural hazard mitigation alone might not prove effective in the absence of linkages with climate change impact reduction. The Department of Meteorology’s capacity should be enhanced, in particular in the fields of seismology and oceanography. The Department’s working relationships with other counterpart agencies and regional and national organizations should be strengthened. The participation of Meteorology Department officials in regional planning and consultation meetings would facilitate the strengthening of an early warning system. A regional EWS meeting in Male would help network GOM agencies with international counterpart agencies. A vulnerability assessment of the Maldives is needed from various aspects. A community based assessment through island-level task forces would strengthen preparedness planning. A national process would help assess mitigation options and identify new assets/infrastructure. The vulnerability assessment process should be linked with vulnerability assessments of ecosystems and natural resources that are serving as natural protection. The vulnerability of the country’s coral reefs could be assessed with specific reference to the long-term implications of coral bleaching that occurred in 1998. 94 Multi-hazard preparedness planning is recommended for the atolls. Preparedness plans would equip people government officials and community members to know their roles before, during and after disasters. A feasibility study on the establishment of a multi-hazard early warning system is recommended. The feasibility study would provide an outline of the system including institutional and technical details, capacity building and training needs, awareness programmes, phased work plans, and proposed financing arrangements for the establishment and operation of an integrated national early warning system on a sustainable and continuous basis. The national system could be built on the existing observatories of Atmospheric Brown Clouds (ABC) and the Male Declaration on Control and Prevention of air pollution and its Transboundary Effects for South Asia. Disaster Management The GOM should initiate an effort to develop a national policy for disaster management. The disaster management roles and responsibilities of various ministries should be clearly delineated. A national disaster management authority could function as lead agency for disaster management. Legal instruments for enforcing land use planning and building codes are needed. Energy saving and other green design should be taken into full account in the development of such legislation. Community emergency protection plans should be developed with guidance from relevant state authorities. Emergency shelters should be established on high ground. Technical and environmental guidance will be needed for appropriate shelter designs. Disaster management efforts are closely interwoven with sustainable development goals. Development processes aimed at social and economic improvement could generate significant new disaster risks. Major development programmes and projects need to be reviewed for vulnerability and hazard and their potential impacts on the environment. References This report was compiled using data supplied by the Ministry of Environment and Construction, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Ministry of Planning and National Development, National Disaster Management Management Center, Ministry of Communication, Science Technology, Maldives Water and Sanitation Authority, Environment Research Center, Marine Research Center and the Department of Meteorology. The 2004 State of the Environment Report (Ministry of Environment and Construction 2004) was an invaluable source of additional information about the Maldives environment. 95