World Tsunami Awareness Day

World Tsunami Awareness Day is held each year on November 5 to encourage global awareness of the dangers posed by tsunamis and the importance of preparedness and early warning systems.

History of World Tsunami Awareness Day

The day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2015 (Resolution 70/23) at the request of Japan, in order to expand global efforts on tsunami risk reduction.
The date November 5 was chosen because of the traditional Japanese story known as Inamura‑no‑hi (“the burning of the rice sheaves”), which recalls how in 1854 a Japanese farmer named Hamaguchi Goryō set fire to rice stacks to alert his village of an impending tsunami, thus sparing many lives.

Why is World Tsunami Awareness Day important?

Tsunamis are rare but extremely destructive natural events that can strike with little warning and cause massive loss of life and property, especially in coastal areas.
This observance helps remind governments, organisations and communities to invest in early-warning systems, community education, evacuation plans and resilient infrastructure so that the next tsunami’s impact is reduced.

Here are some of the key reasons:

• It encourages individuals and communities to understand tsunami risk.
• It promotes early-warning systems and sustained awareness in coastal regions.
• It supports investment in education and drills for tsunami preparedness.
• It strengthens international cooperation on disaster risk reduction.
• It honours lives saved by preparedness and learns from past tragedies.

How to Celebrate (or Observe) World Tsunami Awareness Day

Observing the day means more than reflection—it means action. Schools, municipal authorities and community groups might host educational events, run evacuation drills, or update local tsunami-plans to ensure everyone knows what to do when there’s an alert.
Individuals in coastal zones can use the day to review their home emergency kit, identify safe high ground and practice how quickly they could move there if needed. The emotional aspect is about turning fear or unease into confidence and readiness.

Here are some practical ideas:

• Attend or organise a tsunami-evacuation drill in your area.
• Identify high-ground or safe-zones in your community and practise the route.
• Review and update your family’s disaster-preparedness plan, including for tsunamis.
• Share awareness posts on social media to highlight tsunami risks and preparedness.
• Support or volunteer for organisations working on coastal resilience and early warnings.

World Tsunami Awareness Day Dates Table