Thai Tsunami Warning System Developed

[george]

Tsunami warning system developed

BANGKOK: -- An international body based in Thailand has designed a tsunami early warning system for the Indian Ocean rim and Southeast Asian countries, Xinhua reported.

According to media reports Tuesday, the action plan of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) could be implemented within the next two years.

"We are trying to form a network of early warning centres with countries like India, Indonesia and Japan," ADPC Executive Director Suvit Yodmani was quoted as saying by the Bangkok Post newspaper.

The system's design will be presented at the March 3-8 meeting of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission in Paris.

Yodmani said the warning system plans to address other calamities like flash floods and typhoons for making it cost-effective.

He was speaking at the signing ceremony of the ADPC charter, which would pave the way for its transformation from a foundation into a full-fledged regional organisation with international status.

The Pathumthani-based APDC was set-up in 1986 with more than 30 members from 11 countries forming its board of trustees.

Yodmani said if India and Indonesia collaborated in building their own systems to link with the ADPC, the huge investment required to set up the pressurised sensors and buoys as part of the system could be reduced.

The Dec 26 Asian tsunami killed at least 280,000 people in Asia and Africa.

--TNA 2005-03-01