First Tsunami Warning Tower Goes Up In Takua Pa

First tsunami warning tower goes up in district

Rumours of more big waves still run rife

TAKUA PA: -- The first tsunami warning tower has been erected in Takua Pa district in this hard-hit coastal province, in a bid to calm paranoid villagers, who witnessed the devastation caused by the 10-metre-high tidal waves.

Tsunami rumours were still circulating in the district, prompting residents of worst-hit Ban Nam Khem and Ban Bang Niang to flee for their lives almost daily.

``Most of the tsunami survivors are refusing to return to their ravaged villages for fear of the earthquake-triggered waves. We hope the observatory will ease their fears,'' said Manas Chinnakarn, head of Phuket Technical College's machinery department, which was hired by the Thai Red Cross to design and construct the 200,000-baht tower.

Three navy personnel from the Third Fleet will be asked to stand by at the tower 24 hours a day to keep close watch on the sea, turn on the siren and fly a red flag at the top of the tower if unusual sea levels are detected.

Located about two kilometres from Ban Bang Niang beachfront, the 12-metre-high tower is the first of its kind in the six provinces devastated by the giant waves.

The Thai Red Cross and the college plan to build 27 such towers in Krabi, Phangnga, Phuket, Ranong, Satun and Trang, said Mr Manas.

A Thai Red Cross official said, however, that the project would be suspended until the government's tsunami early warning system is in full operation.

``Unlike Phuket, Phangnga has no meteorological authorities and hi-tech earthquake detection equipment, so we decided to build the first tower here. At least it will have a psychological impact on villagers,'' he said.

The tower was built by vocational students in the southern provinces, who were sent to villages to help victims rebuild houses, repair fishing boats and electronic and mechanical devices.

--The Post 2005-02-06