Every year on November 5, the world observes World Tsunami Awareness Day. The UN General Assembly established it in December 2015, urging countries and organisations to raise awareness and share ways to reduce tsunami risks.
The idea came from Japan, which has faced many tsunamis and developed expertise in early warning, public safety, and rebuilding after disasters. The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) coordinates global observance of the day.
Tsunamis are rare but extremely deadly. In the last century, 58 tsunamis have killed over 260,000 people, most during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. That disaster led to the Hyogo Framework for Action and the creation of the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System, which tracks quakes and sends alerts.
With rapid urban growth and tourism along vulnerable coasts, risk reduction has become vital. The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030) focuses on saving lives through better preparedness and response.
Could a Tsunami Hit Pakistan? Understanding Pakistan’s Coast
Even for Pakistan, this day holds immense importance because of our coastal vulnerabilities and how lenient we have been regarding such natural disasters, thinking they can never touch us.
Pakistan’s coastline stretches about 1,050 kilometres along the Arabian Sea, divided into the Sindh coast and the Makran coast in Balochistan.
- Makran Coast: From Jiwani to Ormara, including Gwadar and Pasni, it lies near the Makran Subduction Zone (MSZ), where the Arabian Plate slides under the Eurasian Plate, creating a high risk of undersea earthquakes.
- Gwadar and Pasni: These towns are developing rapidly, especially with CPEC projects, but their proximity to the MSZ makes them vulnerable.
- Karachi: Pakistan’s largest city is not directly on the fault line but could still face flooding. Areas like Clifton, DHA, and Manora Island are at risk if a tsunami forms in the Arabian Sea.
Makran Coast Tsunami 1945: What Exactly Happened?
The Makran Coast tsunami struck on November 28, 1945, after a powerful 8.1-magnitude earthquake along the Makran Subduction Zone. The earthquake triggered massive waves between 12 and 15 meters high, causing widespread destruction across the coastlines of Pakistan, Iran, Oman, and India.
An estimated 4,000 people lost their lives, and many coastal villages were completely destroyed. Even Karachi’s harbour suffered significant damage, marking the event as one of the deadliest natural disasters in the region’s history.
Scientists believe that the Makran Subduction Zone is still active and capable of producing another large earthquake, potentially triggering a tsunami that could reach Gwadar within 10–15 minutes and Karachi within 30–45 minutes.
This leaves a narrow window for evacuation, emphasising the urgent need for public awareness and preparedness.
In recent years, seismic activity off the Makran coast has occasionally sparked fears of another tsunami. For instance, tremors recorded in the Arabian Sea near Karachi just recently prompted brief tsunami alerts, though fortunately, it was avoided.
World Tsunami Awareness Day: How Citizens Can Stay Prepared?
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) runs a Tsunami Early Warning Centre in Karachi as part of UNESCO’s Indian Ocean system. It uses monitoring stations and coastal sirens to alert communities.
However, awareness remains low. People living along the coast should know the warning signs:
- A strong earthquake near the sea
- A sudden retreat of seawater
- A loud roar from the ocean
If these occur, move immediately to higher ground. Development plans, especially in Gwadar and Karachi, must include evacuation routes and safe zones.
On World Tsunami Awareness Day, let’s understand the importance of awareness and preparedness because we never know when and where nature might strike.
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