**Executive Summary**
This report details the ocean-based early warning and advisory services provided by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Submitted to the Lok Sabha on April 1, 2026, the document outlines the multi-channel dissemination of safety and fishing advisories to approximately 8 lakh fishermen across India. Key initiatives include the SAMUDRA mobile application and the "Tsunami Ready" program implemented in collaboration with international and local stakeholders.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Service Coverage and Reach**
* **Geographic Scope:** Services are provided across all coastal States/UTs, with specific focus on 12 districts in Andhra Pradesh and 6 districts in Odisha.
* **Localized Infrastructure:** Services are extended through 36 Fish Landing Centres (FLCs) across the Konaseema, Jagatsinghpur, and Puri districts to facilitate local fishing activities.
* **User Base:** Approximately 8 lakh stakeholders are reached nationally, with 103,915 direct users in Andhra Pradesh and 158,711 in Odisha.
**Communication Framework and Tools**
* **Multi-Channel Dissemination:** Alerts are sent via SMS, WhatsApp, Telegram, email, community radio, social media, and satellite-based systems like the GEMINI platform.
* **The SAMUDRA App:** A multilingual "one-stop platform" providing real-time alerts for tsunamis, storm surges, and high waves, alongside five-day Ocean State Forecasts.
* **SACHET Platform:** Utilizes a Common Alert Protocol (CAP) to enable seamless transmission of warnings from INCOIS to State and District authorities.
* **Accessibility:** Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories and Ocean State Forecasts are provided in local languages to ensure effective utilization by coastal communities.
**Capacity Building and Recognition**
* **Outreach Initiatives:** INCOIS conducts training sessions, user interaction workshops, and tsunami mock drills to enhance operational safety and risk mitigation.
* **Dissemination Partners:** Collaboration with NGOs, the Reliance Foundation, the M.S. Swaminathan Foundation, and State Fisheries Departments extends the reach of services.
* **Tsunami Ready Program:** Ten coastal villages (five each in Jagatsinghpur and Puri districts) have been officially recognized as "Tsunami Ready" by UNESCO-IOC.
**Impact Analysis**
**Fishermen and Coastal Communities**
**Impact**
Access to real-time hazard alerts and five-day forecasts reduces maritime risk, while Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories improve catch efficiency and support livelihoods.
**Action Required**
Utilize the SAMUDRA mobile application and participate in capacity-building workshops and tsunami mock drills to enhance disaster preparedness.
**State and District Authorities**
**Impact**
Authorities receive streamlined, protocol-based warnings through the SACHET platform, improving their ability to disseminate emergency information to the public.
**Action Required**
Collaborate with INCOIS to facilitate last-mile delivery of advisories and support the implementation of the Tsunami Ready programme.
**Partner Organizations (NGOs and Foundations)**
**Impact**
These entities act as vital intermediaries, extending the reach of scientific advisories to remote coastal areas.
**Action Required**
Continue the dissemination of INCOIS services through established organizational networks and participate in joint outreach programs.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS): An autonomous body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences responsible for providing ocean-based early warning, Potential Fishing Zone advisories, and Ocean State Forecasts.
SAMUDRA: A multilingual mobile application (Smart Access to Marine Users for Ocean Data Resources and Advisories) acting as a one-stop platform for real-time ocean hazard alerts and fishing advisories.
Tsunami Ready programme: A community preparedness initiative implemented by INCOIS to enhance disaster resilience and recognize coastal villages for their readiness against ocean hazards.
Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories: A key service provided to fishermen and coastal stakeholders to help identify probable fish aggregation areas and improve catch efficiency.
Andhra Pradesh and Odisha: The primary coastal states and geographic focus areas where ocean information services, fish landing centres, and Tsunami Ready initiatives are being implemented.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: SAGAR VANI SYSTEM
Posted On: 01 APR 2026 11:55AM by PIB Delhi
The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), under the Ministry of Earth
Sciences (MoES), provides a comprehensive range of ocean-based early warning and advisory services.
The services are available across all coastal States/UTs including Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
Ocean Information Services are being provided across all 12 coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh
(Anakapalli, Bapatla, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema, West Godavari, Kakinada, Krishna, Prakasam, Sri
Potti Sriramulu Nellore, Srikakulam, Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, and Vizianagaram) and 6 coastal districts
of Odisha (Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri, and Ganjam). In Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Konaseema district, services are extended through 5 Fish Landing Centres (FLCs), supporting fishing
communities in nearby villages in initiating their fishing activities. Similarly, 11 FLCs are covered in
Jagatsinghpur district and 20 FLCs in Puri district, facilitating access to ocean information for local
stakeholders.
Approximately 8 lakh fishermen and other coastal stakeholders across all the coastal states/districts of
India are receiving Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ) advisories and other INCOIS services. In particular,
approximately 103,915 users in Andhra Pradesh and 158,711 users in Odisha are being reached directly by
INCOIS through multiple communication channels, including WhatsApp, email, SMS, Telegram,
SAMUDRA mobile application, etc. In addition to these direct communication channels, the same
services are further disseminated through partner organizations such as NGOs, Reliance Foundation, M.S.
Swaminathan Foundation, State Fisheries Departments, etc. thereby extending their reach to a wider user
base.
INCOIS disseminates ocean-related alerts and advisories through a robust multi-channel communication
framework, including SMS, mobile phones, email, website, mobile applications, community radio, social
media platforms, satellite-based communication systems (GEMINI platform, VOIP phones), etc.
Additionally, Potential Fishing Zone advisories and Ocean State Forecasts are provided in local languages
to enhance accessibility and facilitate effective utilization by coastal communities and fishermen. INCOIS
also issues alerts through the Common Alert Protocol (CAP)-based SACHET platform, enabling seamless
transmission of ocean warnings and alerts to State and District authorities for further dissemination to the
public.
INCOIS has developed the multilingual SAMUDRA (Smart Access to Marine Users for Ocean Data
Resources and Advisories) mobile application as a one-stop platform for accessing its ocean information
services. The app provides real-time alerts on ocean hazards such as tsunamis, storm surges, high waves,
and swell surges, enabling users to take timely precautionary measures. It also delivers PFZ advisories to
help fishermen identify probable fish aggregation areas, thereby improving catch efficiency and
supporting livelihoods. In addition, SAMUDRA offers five-day Ocean State Forecasts to assist mariners,
fishermen, and coastal communities in advance planning, risk reduction, and enhanced maritime safety.
All these dissemination channels are being utilized in Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh, as well as in
Jagatsinghpur and Puri districts of Odisha.To improve last-mile delivery of ocean advisories to fishermen in remote coastal areas, INCOIS
undertakes sustained outreach and capacity-building initiatives across coastal States/UTs. These activities
include awareness programmes, workshops, training sessions, tsunami mock drills, and the
implementation of the Tsunami Ready programme, carried out in collaboration with State agencies, local
authorities, educational institutions, and coastal stakeholders.
Additionally, INCOIS also conducts targeted outreach programmes for coastal communities and
fishermen, including user interaction workshops and training sessions, to enhance preparedness,
operational safety, situational awareness, and risk mitigation, particularly for those operating in distant and
offshore waters. Such awareness programmes, beach cleanliness drives, and mock exercises have been
conducted in Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh, as well as in Jagatsinghpur and Puri districts of
Odisha.Under the Tsunami Ready programme, five coastal villages each in Jagatsinghpur and Puri
districts of Odisha have been recognized as Tsunami Ready communities by UNESCO-IOC
This information was submitted by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences and
Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh in Lok Sabha on 1st April 2026.
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