World Tsunami Awareness Day 2017 observed across the world

5 November: World Tsunami Awareness Day

The World Tsunami Awareness Day was observed across the world on 5 November 2017 with the theme 'Reduce the Number of Affected People'.

The Day aligned with the 'International Day for Disaster Reduction' and the "Sendai Seven Campaign" which are aimed at reducing the number of affected people globally by disasters.

The day is celebrated to spread awareness among people across the world in matters related to the dangers of tsunami. It stresses on the importance of early warning systems in order to mitigate damage from the often devastating natural hazard.

The first World Tsunami Awareness Day was observed across the world on 5 November 2016 with the theme 'Effective Education and Evacuation Drills'.

Background
• In December 2015, the United Nations General Assembly designated 5 November as World Tsunami Awareness Day.
• The significance of the day can be traced back to the year 1854 when a villager of Wakayama Prefecture, Japan was concerned about an impending tsunami after a high-intensity earthquake on 5 November 1854. He set up a fire to rice sheaves on the top of a hill and villagers, who went atop to put off the fire, were saved as tsunami destroyed their village down below.
• In the year 2004, the world witnessed the killer Tsunami which affected more than 15 countries including India.
• To commemorate that day of the burning of rice sheaves (“Inamura no Hi”), a resolution was jointly proposed by 142 countries, following which the day was proclaimed.