NEW DELHI, JANUARY 17 High-profile tsunami expert Tad (T.S.) Murthy has finally got a call from the government for a brainstorming session on setting up a warning centre in the Indian Ocean.

‘‘I have brought with me a blueprint for setting up a tsunami warning centre in the Indian Ocean, which I will present at the brainstorming session on January 21-22,’’ the Canadian scientist told The Indian Express today.

Currently here to assist Canadian PM Paul Martin, who begins his bilateral visit tomorrow, Murthy had told this paper a day after Black Sunday about his earlier offer to set up a warning system for India. That, he had said, was rejected due to ‘‘lack of funds’’.

The blueprint, according to him, envisages a system that will have to be a collaborative effort of 36 countries around the Indian Ocean. Murthy is willing to provide free consultancy and devote his entire time to assist New Delhi in setting up the facility.

‘‘The warning centre should be located in India and I feel the right place for this is Visakhapatnam...it can also develop into a natural hazards warning centre,’’ says Murthy, who is vice-president of the Honolulu-based International Tsunami Society.

Not only is India geographically well-located for this purpose, Murthy says India alone has the sufficient scientific acumen to carry the project forward. ‘‘Visakhapatnam is the ideal place because the location you choose should not be vulnerable to tsunamis while at the same time it is best located to monitor tsunami,’’ says Murthy.

The key features of the centre would be:

• Round-the-clock facility operated by the Indian Meteorological Department with assistance from the National Institute of Oceanography

• Elaborate satellite-based communication as well as seismographic network with 36 countries

• Unique tidal-gauge network with other countries to monitor water level

• Special software for simulation of possible scenarios with available data

• Simultaneous network with emergency response teams for quick evacuation, in case of a warning

Murthy’s estimate for setting up the system is $150-250 million, which he feels may not be a problem if the project is carried out under the aegis of the United Nations. The annual research and maintenance cost will be close to $3 million. But this is worth the expenditure and giving an account of the system in North America, he says, adding, ‘‘there is no chance that we can miss a tsunami today.’’

While deliberations are underway on a warning system, Murthy says the government must not lose time in collecting scientific data available along the coastline after the disaster.

‘‘The best period for this is now between mid-February and mid-May after which, I am afraid, the evidence will all get washed away. India could take the lead and start collecting the evidence which will be crucial for preparing the computer simulations,’’ says Murthy.

Murthy has another piece of advice for the government: consider reorienting the entrance to the Sethusamudram channel from the eastern side. ‘‘My fear is that since this is a deep ocean route, a tsunami will enter the channel and cause devastation in southern Kerala. A slight reorientation will help deflecting the energy back to the ocean,’’ says Murthy.

Besides, Murthy says having mangroves helps lessen the impact of tsunamis rather than the more expensive proposition of sea walls. ‘‘But one can considers sea walls to protect vital installations like a nuclear facility or important ports,’’ he says.