Wednesday, March 30 2005 10:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Centre yesterday (Mar 29, 2005) said that the massive quake off Sumatra last Monday night (Mar 28, 2005) has proved India's ability to respond timely to a possible tsunami and a new warning system, being worked upon, would alert scientists of an approaching tidal wave disaster within five-ten minutes of an undersea quake.

Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters in New Delhi, "At least in the context of tsunami, we can draw the satisfaction that both Central Government and State agencies have put in place systems that are functional and effective."

"Overall, we were well prepared. Our communication systems worked efficiently and State Governments cooperated magnificently," he said.

However, a lot more needs to be done, he said adding a Tsunami Warning System is not yet in place. The Rs 125-crore project, which would give India the capability to know of a possible tsunami in five-10 minutes of a quake, has got "in principle" approval of the Government under which eight-12 bottom pressure records would be placed in the Indian Ocean.

Claiming that India's system would be better than the Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning System, Sibal said they had only six-eight bottom pressure recorders in the Pacific Ocean.