Current Affairs 5th November 2017

Current Affairs 5th November 2017 - Important Points

• World Tsunami Awareness Day 2017 observed across the world on - 5th November 2017

 Current Affairs 5th November 2017 - Details

World Tsunami Awareness Day 2017 observed across the world on - 5th November 2017

The World Tsunami Awareness Day was observed across the world with the theme 'Reduce the Number of Affected People' on 5th November 2017. The Day aligned with the 'International Day for Disaster Reduction' aiming to reduce the number of affected people by disasters globally.

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 on 5th November 2016 across the world with the theme 'Effective Education and Evacuation Drills'.

Important Highlights

• The General Assembly of United Nations has designated 5th November as World Tsunami Awareness Day back in December 2015.
• This day's importance can be traced back to the year 1854 when Wakayama Prefecture villager, Japan was concerned about an impending tsunami after a high-intensity earthquake on 5th November 1854. He set up a fire to rice sheaves on the hill top and villagers, who went atop to put off the fire, were saved as tsunami destroyed their village down below.
• The world witnessed the killer Tsunami in the year 2004 which affected over 15 countries including India.
• To commemorate that day of the burning of rice sheaves, a resolution was jointly proposed by 142 countries, following which the day was proclaimed.