Lok Sabha Question No. 381 (STARRED), answered on 2025-08-20
Subject: Real-Time Data Sharing
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *381 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 20 TH  AUGUST, 2025

## REAL-TIME DATA SHARING

## *381.   SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of inter-agency protocol to ensure real-time data sharing between IMD, ISRO, NDMA and State Governments during natural disasters;
- (b) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  there  is  lack  of  structural  retrofitting  in  Government buildings,  schools  and  hospitals  in  seismic  Zones  IV  and  V  despite  budget allocations and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to build coastal embankments or warning siren infrastructure in fishing villages and tourist zones along the country's coastline;
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to ensure that disaster-related public awareness campaigns reach grassroots populations; and
- (e) whether  the  Government  is  actively  collaborating  with  international  seismic  and oceanographic  agencies  to  improve  disaster  forecasting  or  limited  to  domestic technical institutions and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) - (e)  A statement is laid on the table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *381 REGARDING 'REAL-TIME DATA SHARING' FOR ANSWER ON 20 TH  AUGUST 2025

- (a) Yes. The real-time communication channels that exist between India Meteorological Department ( IMD ), Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services  ( INCOIS ),  National  Centre  for  Seismology  ( NCS ),  National  Disaster Management  Authority  ( NDMA ),  various  scientific  institutions  such  as  Indian Space Research Organization ( ISRO ) and State Governments for data sharing. It is also important to mention that IMD and NCS -MoES share real-time meteorological and Earthquake data respectively with ISRO, NDMA and States in 24/7 basis. Information provided by IMD related to disasters, covering observations,  forecasts  and  warnings  down  to  the  district  level,  disseminated through  APIs,  CAP,  email,  SMS,  WhatsApp  and  direct  coordination.  INCOIS provides multi-hazard early warnings  for oceanic events like tsunamis and associated storm surges, high waves, etc. INCOIS in coordination with IMD also exchange data and issue joint bulletins during cyclones. Warnings are shared with NDMA and State Governments via multiple channels, Mausam and Samudra App, including  NDMA's CAP-based  SACHET  system . NCS operates  the  national seismological  network  round  the  clock,  detecting  earthquakes  and  estimating earthquake parameters and sharing parameters with disaster management authorities using Unified Dissemination system (UDS), including through BHUKAMP APP to different stakeholders in real-time mode.
- (b) NDMA  and  BIS  have  issued  guidelines  for  Seismic  Retrofitting  of  Deficient Buildings and Structures. The National Program for Capacity Building in Earthquake Risk Mitigation emphasizes safety audits and retrofitting of life-saving buildings such  as  schools,  hospitals  and  other  critical  facilities.  While  guidelines and  budget allocations are in place, the pace  of  implementation  has  been constrained  by  factors  such  as  limited  financial  resources,  gaps  in  technical expertise, lower prioritization at certain levels and inadequate public and institutional awareness. Efforts are, however, underway to address these challenges and  the  situation  is  expected  to  improve  with  enhanced  capacity-building,  better coordination and sustained focus on the issue.
- (c) INCOIS  provides  ocean  information  and  multi-hazard  early  warning  services, including  alerts  for  tsunamis,  storm  surges,  high  waves,  swell  surges  and  strong ocean  currents  during  extreme  oceanic  conditions  and  advisory  services  through multiple  communication  channels,  including  SMS,  social  media,  email,  website, SACHET platform , WhatsApp groups, Telegram channels and mobile applications etc. to the stakeholders.
- (d) Community-Based  Disaster  Risk  Reduction  Guidelines  ( Prime  Minister's  10point  Agenda  on  DRR-2016 )  focus  on  regular  public  education  through  hazard mapping,  regular  drills  and  awareness  campaigns  by  involving  IMD,  NCS, INCOIS, NCCR, NCPOR and ISRO for technical and scientific feedbacks to public of  different  age  groups  as  the  capacity  building  programs  for  disaster-related preparedness  for  both  Geophysical  and  Hydro-meteorological  and  Cryospheric (GLOF)  disaster events in the country. NDMA  conducts  nationwide  drills involving all age groups, complemented by educational programs on TV and radio to reach grassroots communities. Disaster-related information including earthquakes,  tsunamis  and  weather  alerts  is  disseminated  through  institutional websites,  mobile  apps,  SMS  alerts,  and  social  media  platforms  such  as  X, Instagram  and  WhatsApp.  NCS  &  INCOIS  strengthens  Earthquake  and  tsunami preparedness  through  workshops,  training  programs  and  annual  mock  drills  in coordination  with  NDMA,  Schools,  SDMAs  and  NIDM  as  well  as  with  coastal State Disaster Management Agencies to reach to the first responder or at grass root level. It also leads the UNESCO-IOC 'Tsunami Ready' programme in India, with Odisha  achieving recognition for  26 coastal villages, marking  a  significant milestone in building coastal resilience.
- (e) Yes.  INCOIS  is  recognized  as  a  Tsunami  Service  Provider  by  UNESCO-IOC's Tsunami Warning Network, serving the Indian Ocean region and collaborating with other countries for marine hazard alerts and capacity building. Through the MoESNOAA partnership, India engages in oceanographic data sharing and joint research, while MoES also strengthens global seismic data cooperation. NCS works with the Global  Seismic  Network,  International  Seismological  Commission  (ISC),  Russia and other agencies of Japan and Taiwan and INCOIS for data sharing. Similarly, IMD  disseminates  data  through  multiple  communication  channels,  including Application  Programming  Interfaces  (APIs),  the  Common  Alert  Protocol  (CAP), email, FAX, SMS, WhatsApp groups and attending telephonic discussions/virtual meetings and coordination. Similarly, IMD partners with national and international agencies to enhance disaster forecasting. INCOIS receives real-time data from 17 dedicated broadband seismic stations of NCS, 25 other national stations and about 400 international stations, enabling accurate detection of tsunamigenic earthquakes and the timely issuance of tsunami early warnings.

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