" Never Again" Is Warning Centre’s Credo

[george]

‘Never again’ is warning centre’s credo

SOUTH THAILAND: -- At the centre of the room stands a globe. Around it more than a dozen men and women wearing navy-blue jackets hunch over brand-new computers. A bank of television screens mounted on a wall relays instant news from local and international channels.

But before you see all this, you encounter a note posted at the entrance whichreads: “We are here to warn so that no disaster will befall Thailand again. We keep watch constantly. And when need arises, we will warn instantly.”

Until half a year ago, no one had thought of the need for such vigilance. But then on December 26 an unprecedented tsunami washed ashore in six southern provinces, killing well in excess of 5,000 people and obliterating entire seaside resorts and fishing villages.

Five months later, Thailand became the first tsunami-ravaged country of the 11 in the region to launch its own early-warning system. It has been in operation for more than a month.

“Starting from zero, we now have about 70 per cent [of our system] up and running,” said Smith Dharmasaroja, vice minister to the Prime Minister’s Office who oversees progress on the system. “We aim to have at least 90 per cent of the system running within between six months and a year.”

Several years ago, Smith – then director-general of the Meteorological Department – warned of the likelihood of a devastating tsunami on Thailand’s Andaman coast. His warnings went unheeded by government and media alike.

When the disaster did strike as he had predicted, he was among the first experts sought for television interviews just hours after the catastrophe. Ever since the energetic 69-year-old has been back in the spotlight, heading as he does the national committee on a national early-warning system.

In the tsunami’s wake, the Meteorological Department came under heated criticism and became the subject of an official investigation for its failure to issue a warning.

Not to be taken off guard ever again, the centre has taken charge of developing early-warning systems for a wide range of natural disasters. It shares meteorological and earthquake data with the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii, the Japanese Meteorological Agency in Hokkaido, and the US Geological Survey.

The minute that the centre’s experts get hint of a potential tsunami, they will notify senior officials and Cabinet ministers before alerting locals via text-messaging on mobile phones and through live broadcasts on 10 television channels and 523 radio stations nationwide.

“Scientific rules determine if a quake has the potential to generate a tsunami,” Smith said. “The charts on the walls here give you all the details.”

If a tsunami is expected to hit again, the centre will alert tsunami-warning towers erected on shores to warn tourists and locals. Smith said the centre was planning to install as many as 62 warning towers on the Andaman coastline. Local authorities will install several more and link up to the centre’s database.

Experts, meanwhile, are also studying ways of deploying tsunami- and quake-sensor buoys in the Indian Ocean for a foolproof warning system.

Indonesia, India and Burma are developing their own warning systems. Thailand would be happy to share information with these and other countries, Smith said. “It’s up to other countries if they will recognise us as a regional centre,” he added. “We have to build our own system and make it work well.”

--The Nation 2005-07-01

[mnoorsapl]

‘Never again’ is warning centre’s credo

“We are here to warn so that no disaster will befall Thailand again. We keep watch constantly. And when need arises, we will warn instantly.”

--The Nation 2005-07-01

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Keep it up guys.

[thaibebop]

"It's up to other countries.....regonise us as a regional center"

Hub of warning systems now?

[penzman]

‘Never again’ is warning centre’s credo

SOUTH THAILAND: -- At the centre of the room stands a globe. Around it more than a dozen men and women wearing navy-blue jackets hunch over brand-new computers. A bank of television screens mounted on a wall relays instant news from local and international channels.

The minute that the centre’s experts get hint of a potential tsunami, they will notify senior officials and Cabinet ministers before alerting locals via text-messaging on mobile phones and through live broadcasts on 10 television channels and 523 radio stations nationwide.

“Scientific rules determine if a quake has the potential to generate a tsunami,” Smith said. “The charts on the walls here give you all the details.”

If a tsunami is expected to hit again, the centre will alert tsunami-warning towers erected on shores to warn tourists and locals. Smith said the centre was planning to install as many as 62 warning towers on the Andaman coastline. Local authorities will install several more and link up to the centre’s database.

Experts, meanwhile, are also studying ways of deploying tsunami- and quake-sensor buoys in the Indian Ocean for a foolproof warning system.

Indonesia, India and Burma are developing their own warning systems. Thailand would be happy to share information with these and other countries, Smith said. “It’s up to other countries if they will recognise us as a regional centre,” he added. “We have to build our own system and make it work well.”

--The Nation 2005-07-01

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What then was it I saw on the news last night? Phuket was complaining that nothing has been done in 6 months about a tsunami warning system.

The government's response was sort of a "You install it".

Isn't this new centre mentioned in the article just a revamped version of the old one, people watching tv, relaying information , just like happened last time?

[khall64au]

‘Never again’ is warning centre’s credo

SOUTH THAILAND: -- At the centre of the room stands a globe. Around it more than a dozen men and women wearing navy-blue jackets hunch over brand-new computers. A bank of television screens mounted on a wall relays instant news from local and international channels.

The minute that the centre’s experts get hint of a potential tsunami, they will notify senior officials and Cabinet ministers before alerting locals via text-messaging on mobile phones and through live broadcasts on 10 television channels and 523 radio stations nationwide.

“Scientific rules determine if a quake has the potential to generate a tsunami,” Smith said. “The charts on the walls here give you all the details.”

If a tsunami is expected to hit again, the centre will alert tsunami-warning towers erected on shores to warn tourists and locals. Smith said the centre was planning to install as many as 62 warning towers on the Andaman coastline. Local authorities will install several more and link up to the centre’s database.

Experts, meanwhile, are also studying ways of deploying tsunami- and quake-sensor buoys in the Indian Ocean for a foolproof warning system.

Indonesia, India and Burma are developing their own warning systems. Thailand would be happy to share information with these and other countries, Smith said. “It’s up to other countries if they will recognise us as a regional centre,” he added. “We have to build our own system and make it work well.”

--The Nation 2005-07-01

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

What then was it I saw on the news last night? Phuket was complaining that nothing has been done in 6 months about a tsunami warning system.

The government's response was sort of a "You install it".

Isn't this new centre mentioned in the article just a revamped version of the old one, people watching tv, relaying information , just like happened last time?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't watch TV or listen to the radio. I hope thay have my mobile tel no. then. No seriously Phuket has been installing warning systems.... from several sources. All that needs to be done is make sure they work when needed and the public is aware of what the sirens mean. So far, sot so good!

[The_Moog]

Crackdown on Acts of God.

Mother Nature had better be careful else she'll be found in a dustbin riddled with bullets.

[Gazza]

Crackdown on Acts of God.

Mother Nature had better be careful else she'll be found in a dustbin riddled with bullets.

And the verdict would be she committed suicide.

[mnoorsapl]

Crackdown on Acts of God.

Mother Nature had better be careful else she'll be found in a dustbin riddled with bullets.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And the verdict would be she committed suicide.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

how easy for us to forget that thousands had died, unaware of mother nature fury.

[Jimmy in Bangkok]

‘Never again’ is warning centre’s credo

“We are here to warn so that no disaster will befall Thailand again. We keep watch constantly. And when need arises, we will warn instantly.”

--The Nation 2005-07-01

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Keep it up guys.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah I agree. It's great to see someone doing something constuctive out there for the benefit of all of us. I, for one, give all those involved a big pat on the back. Keep up the good work.

[phuketsiam]

They had the info last time, but elected not to use it, not untill the sea sensors are in place will it be reliable, and they cost a fortune, and need replacing every 18 months or so, its just more political bluster i'm afraid

[penzman]

So Mr T's idea of a warning system is hiring 5 more guys, add a few more tv sets and a globe in the room...

Good luck with the night crew when tv is banned after midnight.

[The_Moog]

A bank of television screens mounted on a wall relays instant news from local and international channels.

This is laughable.

They're watching telly waiting for some broadcast journalist to break a News Story.

Er...guys....isn't it your job to send them that story ?

[NBT TV Phuket]

At 8.30am, on Monday the 4th of July, Andaman News on TV11 Phuket, Phang Nga & Krabi & local radio FM90.5, will have a long interview in English with Mr Smith, the Vice Minister, during his current visit to Phuket, about the new early warning systems in the Andaman area, including expensive sensor buoys in international waters (being set up at Thailand's expense, yet they will also help other regional countries), and the new links to Bangkok's central warning centre; he also reveals the new plans being discussed for the 1 year anniversary ceremonies of the tsunami.

The mini-video of interview/reports may be available later on http://www.thaisnews.com/show_eachnews.php?catnewsid=16

[astral]

I deal with computer operators who monitor a very reliable system for errors.

Such errors very rarely occur and the operators get bored and after a few months,

or even weeks, stop checking the system thoroughly.

Then when an error does occur, they miss it.

I predict that the same will happen here.

The only way is to automate the system, so that an error ( a Tsunami) rings a loud

bell in the control centre and alerts someone to take action.

The buoys, out in the ocean will be an important part of the system.

Forget the people watching screens ------- a complete waste of time.