New Delhi:
As the pictures of the trail of devastation came out of Japan, India's tsunami early warning system was on full alert. Within minutes, it predicted that there was no immediate threat to India's coast or the country's low lying islands.
The tsunami alert system was put in place by the by the government after the killer tsunami hit India's coast in 2004. The system relies on more than 50 'sensors' placed along India's shores.
Pressure gauges have also been placed in the Indian Ocean which can detect very small changes in water pressure indicating the onset of a tsunami.
All these sensors are linked through a satellite network and continuously report any changes. They can even help predict the speed of waves and the area of impact of any impending danger.
"This is one of the best in the sense that the sensors are very sensitive. It is so precise since we have tidal gauges which even tell us which part may get affected," said B B Bhattacharjee, Member, NDMA.
The system is robust and functions even if some sensors stop functioning or are stolen by fishermen.
Despite an early tsunami warning system in place, there is still a real threat from earthquakes, not only in coastal areas but towns and cities as well where the lives of millions is at stake.