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India and Neighbors Prepare for Massive Tsunami Drill
14 Oct
Summary
- India, other Indian Ocean nations to participate in tsunami mock exercises
- Simulations test response to 9.0 and 9.2 magnitude earthquakes
- Exercises aim to enhance preparedness and regional coordination
On October 14, 2025, India and several other Indian Ocean nations are set to participate in a major tsunami mock exercise called IOWave25. The first drill, scheduled for October 15 at 11:30 a.m., will simulate a magnitude 9.0 earthquake in the Makran Trench off the coast of Pakistan, affecting India's west coast and Lakshadweep Islands.
The second exercise, taking place on November 5 at 8:30 a.m., will simulate a magnitude 9.2 earthquake in the Sumatra Trench off northern Sumatra, Indonesia, impacting the east coast of India and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Each drill will run in real-time for 12 hours, during which the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) will issue 15 test bulletins.
The exercises are being organized by the Intergovernmental Coordination Group for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/IOTWMS) under UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. The goal is to enhance tsunami preparedness, assess response capabilities, and strengthen regional coordination across participating nations. The drills will test the standard operating procedures of emergency services and evaluate their readiness to respond to tsunami-like emergencies.
