Exercise Indian Ocean Wave 2020

In the Indian Ocean region, basin-wide tsunami exercises are held every two years. The next exercise, called Indian Ocean Wave 2020 (IOWave20), is being held during 6-20 October. The Exercise comprises three scenarios with simulated tsunami waves travelling across the ocean basin. The scenarios include Java trench on 6 October, Andaman trench on 13 October, and Makran trench on 20 October.

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the scale of IOWave20 is reduced in comparison with previous exercises. For each scenario, the Tsunami Service Providers (TSPs) will issue four tsunami bulletins in real-time over a one-hour duration. Member States are encouraged to test communications protocols and conduct a “virtual” tabletop exercise, as a minimum, to assess organisational Standard Operating Procedures, plans and policies for tsunami warning and emergency response in the backdrop of a pandemic. Member States should individually assess any health risks in the backdrop of the pandemic and only then decide on the appropriate level of participation in the Exercise.

In the lead-up to IOWave20, the Indian Ocean Information Center (IOTIC) and the Secretariat for the Intergovernmental Group for the Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System (ICG/IOTWMS) held a three-day virtual webinar on Standard Operating Procedures for Tsunami Early Warning and Emergency Response on 28-30 September 2020. The webinar was attended by around 180 national representatives from 24 Indian Ocean Countries. The intent of holding the workshop immediately prior to IOWave20 was so that the Exercise could be used as an opportunity to test and improve the organisational Standard Operating Procedures developed during the workshop. Moreover, it is important to recognise that tsunamis can occur at any time, even during a pandemic, requiring governments and emergency responders to make quick and informed decisions.

For further information on Exercise IOWave20, including important documentation and details of National Exercise Contacts, please view the Exercise webpage here.