WORLD TSUNAMI AWARNESS
DAY
NOVEMBER-5(Thursday).2026

The United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) designated 5 November as World Tsunami Awareness Day in
December 2015 through Resolution A/RES/70/203. The observance encourages
countries and communities to improve public understanding of tsunami risks and
promote measures to reduce disaster impacts.The theme builds on the 2025
emphasis on investment in preparedness and focuses on individual and
community-level action. It highlights that tsunami resilience depends not only
on government warning systems but also on people’s ability to recognise warning
signs and respond quickly.Recognise natural tsunami warning signs, such as
strong ground shaking, unusual changes in sea level and a loud roar from the
ocean.Move immediately to higher ground or inland when tsunami risk is
suspected.Know local evacuation routes and identify safe locations.Prepare
household emergency plans and participate in community evacuation drills.Support
children, older persons, persons with disabilities, tourists and others who may
need assistance during evacuation.The theme is aligned with the Sendai
Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Early Warnings for All initiative
and the UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Ready Programme.The observance of World Tsunami
Awareness Day is associated with the need to learn from past tsunami disasters
and strengthen preparedness in vulnerable communities.5 November 1854: The day
is associated with the Japanese story of Inamura-no-hi. During an earthquake
and the resulting tsunami threat, a villager set fire to rice sheaves to alert
people and help them evacuate to higher ground.
The UNGA adopted
Resolution A/RES/70/203, officially designating 5 November as World Tsunami
Awareness Day.The first World Tsunami Awareness Day was observed, encouraging
global cooperation and public awareness about tsunami risk reduction.A tsunami
is a series of large ocean waves generated by the sudden displacement of a
large volume of seawater. It can travel across entire ocean basins and cause
severe flooding and destruction when it reaches coastal areas.
Undersea earthquakes:
Sudden vertical displacement of the ocean floor, particularly in tectonically
active subduction zones, is the most common cause of destructive tsunamis.Underwater
and coastal landslides: The sudden movement of large masses of rock and
sediment into or beneath the sea can displace water and generate tsunami waves.Volcanic
eruptions: Explosive eruptions, volcanic collapse and related movements can
displace large volumes of seawater.Meteorite or asteroid impacts: These are
rare events that can generate tsunamis by suddenly displacing ocean water.
How do tsunamis becomIn
deep oceans, tsunami waves can travel at very high speeds with relatively small
wave heights, making them difficult to detect from ships.
As they approach
shallow coastal waters, their speed decreases and their height can increase
significantlyThe resulting waves can inundate coastal settlements, damage
infrastructure, destroy livelihoods and cause loss of life.A tsunami generally
consists of multiple waves, and the first wave may not be the largest. Natural
Warning Signs of a TsunamiTsunamis may reach nearby coastlines before official
warnings are issued. Therefore, recognising natural warning signs is essential
for survival.Strong or long earthquake: Intense or prolonged ground shaking
near the coast may indicate a possible tsunami threat.Sudden sea-level change:
The sea may withdraw unusually far from the shore or rise rapidly.Loud ocean
roar: An unusual sound coming from the sea may signal an approaching tsunami.People
in coastal areas should move immediately to higher ground or inland if they
observe these signs. They should not wait for an official warning before
evacuating.
Tsunamis may strike
without warning, but their impact can be devastating. As coastal populations
grow and sea levels rise, millions remain exposed to a threat that can claim
lives and destroy livelihoods within minutes. Yet knowing the warning signs and
acting quickly can make the difference between life and death.Under the theme
“Be tsunami ready: Resilience starts with you”, World Tsunami Awareness Day (5
November) highlights the power of individual and community preparedness. From
knowing evacuation routes to practising emergency drills, everyone has a role
in protecting themselves, their loved ones and their communities.In 2022, the
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) launched the
#GetToHighGround campaign to promote awareness about reducing the risk of
tsunamis. The campaign encourages citizens to participate in drills, runs, or
walks along tsunami evacuation routes, which helps communities prepare for
natural disasters and build their resilience. These events are inclusive and
engaging, and they involve all people in raising awareness about reducing
tsunami risk.Tsunamis can be deadly, but they needn’t be. Early warning and
early action are effective tools to protect people, saving lives, and
preventing the hazard from becoming a disaster. To be effective, tsunami
early-warning systems must cover every at-risk person, they must be
multi-hazard, and communities must be prepared so they can act quickly.In December
2015, the UN General Assembly designated 5 November as World Tsunami Awareness
Day, calling on countries, international bodies and civil society to raise
tsunami awareness and share innovative approaches to risk reduction.World
Tsunami Awareness Day was the brainchild of Japan, which due to its repeated,
bitter experience has over the years built up major expertise in areas such as
tsunami early warning, public action and building back better after a disaster
to reduce future impacts. UN Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) facilitates the
observance of World Tsunami Awareness Day in collaboration with the rest of the
United Nations system.Tsunamis are rare events but can be extremely deadly. In
the past 100 years, 58 of them have claimed more than 260,000 lives, or an
average of 4,600 per disaster, surpassing any other natural hazard. The highest
number of deaths in that period was in the Indian Ocean tsunami of December
2004.
Prof. John Kurakar