Which mitigation measure is commonly used to reduce tsunami risk in coastal cities?

• A. Implementing strict building codes, tsunami hazard zoning, early warning systems, evacuation planning, and land-use controls.
• B. Relying on natural barriers alone.
• C. Building more towers without planning.
• D. Ignoring sea-level data.

Answer: (A)

Mitigating tsunami risk in coastal cities requires a layered set of measures that address both exposure and response. Strict building codes help ensure that new structures and retrofits can withstand tsunami forces and that critical facilities are not placed in the most vulnerable areas. Tsunami hazard zoning guides where development occurs, reducing exposure by keeping people and assets out of high-risk zones. Early warning systems provide crucial time to react, and evacuation planning translates warnings into actionable routes, assembly points, and drills so communities know exactly what to do. Land-use controls reinforce protections over time by regulating development and preserving natural buffers that can absorb wave energy. This combination is more effective than relying on natural barriers alone, which can fail; building more towers without planning does not reduce hazard; and ignoring sea-level data leaves planners blind to changes in risk.