Need of a disaster alert system for India through a network of real-time monitoring of sea-level and other meteorological events

Need of a disaster alert system (DAS) capable of online transmission of real-time integrated sea-level and surface meteorological data is discussed. In addition to INSAT platform transmit terminal, VHF, etc., the ubiquitous cellular phone network would be an important option that can be effectively utilized to provide the crucial communication capability to DAS. Such a system would also provide a sufficiently large near-real-time database for running storm-surge models and prediction of any suspected destructive surge events at vulnerable coastal belts as well as complement any deep ocean tsunami warning system that India might put in place. Web-enabled DAS network with authorized access would facilitate viewing real-time/near-real-time coastal sea-level and surface meteorological events, ensuring data security and confidentiality.