Southern Thai Provinces Alert For Tsunami

[webfact]

Southern provinces alert for tsunami

By The Nation

Narathiwat and Pattani were bracing early today for a possible tsunami resulting from yesterday's huge earthquake off Japan, and Songkhla remains at risk, a Meteorological Department official said.

The department's provincial chief in Narathiwat, Manee Uttharak, said waves could reach the coast of Narathiwat by about 4.56am, reaching a height of 4 metres a kilometre off the coast. Provincial authorities ordered rescue workers to stand by and prepare for a possible evacuation of a 50km stretch of the province facing the Gulf of Thailand.

However, provincial Governor Thanon Wetchakorakanon played down the danger, issuing a statement that the waves' height should not be high and their force would not be too great.

"The waves would be a little higher than usual. Don't panic," he said.

"Fishermen's villages along the Ban Thon coast to Tak Bai district may be at risk but evacuation is not needed now. But if the waves become violent, warnings and evacuation will be ordered immediately," he added.

Meteorological Department spokesman Phoowieang Prakhammin said the waves' height should be no more than 20 centimetres. "We have tsunamiwarning devices installed in the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan. They can give us warnings four or five hours in advance," he added.

However, the Department of Mineral Resources said the waves should reach Vietnam by 6.30am, before an analysis is made to determine whether tsunami warnings would be necessary. "We will judge from the waves' height hitting Vietnam - when they reach Thailand the height may not be great," a spokesman said.

The Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand said the quake in Japan did not affect two major dams in Kanchanaburi. "Both Sri Nakharin and Vajiralongkorn dams have not been affected by the quakes, judging from seismic meters attached at both sites," said Weerachai Chaisakaew, a senior Egat official.

Each year, more than 100 earthquakes of magnitudes higher than 6 - classified as "great" or higher - occur across the globe. The worst last year was in Haiti, where more than 230,000 residents were killed.

So far this year, 13 quakes on that scale have occurred.

-- The Nation 2011-03-12

[webfact]

Hundreds dead as quake, tsunami hit north-east Japan

Hundreds of people were killed Friday after a magnitude-8.9 earthquake hit north-eastern Japan, generating a tsunami as high as 10 metres that swept away people, cars, boats, crops and buildings.

From 200 to 300 bodies were found alone off the coast of Sendai in Miyagi prefecture near the quake's epicentre after a 10-metre tsunami hit the city, the public broadcaster NHK reported, citing police.

The waves also washed away a ship carrying about 100 people off Miyagi's coast.

The waves rolled into Sendai at 3:55 pm (0655 GMT), submerging residential areas and farms under muddy, debris-filled water.

Hundreds of people were injured and many were missing, including a number of children who were sucked into the sea off north-eastern Japan, NHK said. Deaths were were also reported in the Kanto region.

The Meteorological Agency said the quake was the biggest on record in Japan. The agency noted there were more aftershocks than usual, including three of more than magnitude 7.

Six deaths were reported at a welfare facility that collapsed in Minami Soma in Fukushima prefecture, and the Kyodo News agency said eight people were missing in a landslide in Soma, Fukushima prefecture.

A tsunami 7 metres high hit the city at 3:50 pm (0650GMT), NHK said. City officials in Soma also said a tsunami had surged about 5 kilometres inland there.

About 50 people were injured in Tokyo, including 35 people at a hotel where the roof collapsed. Media reported extensive damage to buildings in and around Tokyo.

Along the north-east coast, waves swamped buildings and swept over roads and other infrastructure, including Sendai's airport. People gathered on the roofs of inundated buildings. Women waved white handkerchiefs from windows to call for help.

The government declared a state of emergency for its nuclear reactors, which number 50.

Tokyo instructed about 3,000 residents near a reactor in Fukushima prefecture to evacuate because of possible leaks of radiation after the reactor's water level fell, and a fire broke out in the turbine hall of the Onagawa nuclear power station in Miyagi, but officials there and at other reactors said no radioactive leaks were detected. The fire was extinguished, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported.

Television footage showed vehicles submerged in Kamaishi, Iwate prefecture, as a 4.2-metre tsunami hit the city's coast and piles of rubble on the streets of Ofunato, also in Iwate.

High waves also hit such cities as Hiroo and Kushiro on the northern island of Hokkaido.

The Meteorological Agency issued new tsunami warnings late Friday for Hokkaido, north-eastern, western and southern Japan, forecasting waves as high as 6 metres.

Tsunami warnings were also issued across the Pacific from Russia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Taiwan to the Pacific islands and up and down the coast of the Americas.

The US Geological Survey measured the quake at 8.9 on the Richter scale while Japan's Meteorological Agency recorded it at a magnitude of 8.8.

The quake, which hit at 2:46 pm (0546 GMT) at a depth of 24.4 kilometres, shook buildings in Tokyo violently, and some caught fire.

NHK showed footage of blazes at petrochemical complexes in Ichihara, Chiba prefecture, east of Tokyo, while large explosions were reported at petrochemical complexes in Shiogama, Miyagi prefecture.

City officials in Sendai said 14 fires were reported there.

Narita International Airport outside Tokyo, was closed but reopened while airports in north-eastern Japan were shut down, news reports said.

Nuclear power stations on the Pacific coast in Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures shut down operations automatically after the quake hit.

About 3.9 million households experienced power outages in the metropolitan area, Tokyo Electric Power Co said. About 4.4 million households in eastern Japan suffered power failures, NHK said.

As aftershocks continued in north-eastern Japan and around Tokyo, all train services in these regions were suspended.

Mobile phone service were disrupted as people frantically called family and friends.

Prime Minister Naoto Kan said the government set up a task force to deal with the aftermath of the quake. About 8,000 troops have been dispatched for quake relief, the government said.

The government said the country received offers of aid from other countries while requesting Washington dispatch US troops stationed in the country to help with relief work.

-- The Nation 2011-03-12

[webfact]

Related topic

TSUNAMI WARNING ISSUED FOR JAPAN, RUSSIA AND OTHER REGIONS

Tsunamis strike Japan after enormous earthquakes

Follow this link:

[webfact]

No contact with stranded Thais

By Suchat Sritama

Nantida Paungtong

Thanongsak Muennoo

The Nation

In the wake of a massive earthquake and tsunami in Japan, many Thais have lost contact with their relatives there, partly because of communicationsystem failures.

There are now about 42,200 Thais in Japan, 19,700 of whom are workers.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongphakdi yesterday said those who could not contact their relatives in Japan could call 02 575 10469 during office hours and 02 643 5000 out of hours to get updated information on the situation.

Even Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, admitted he had had difficulty contacting the Thai embassy in Japan.

Thani said Miyaki was reportedly the hardest hit part of Japan, with about 300 Thais living there. Most are students or Thai women with Japanese husbands.

He added that Thais in Tokyo had been impacted too and people there had already been told to leave highrise buildings.

Chavanond estimated there were between 20,000 and 30,000 Thais in the Japanese capital.

"We are planning to set up a centre to help Thais in Japan," he said.

A Thai student at Tokyo University told Nation TV in a telephone interview that she still could not contact the Thai embassy by email or phone.

"Tap water has stopped running too but I have been told to stay inside the campus," Neeracha said. "The university has promised to provide food."

She said the earthquake was so powerful that even Japanese people, who were quite used to quakes, were shocked.

Prapha Luangsopaphan, a Thai in Osaka, said mobile phone signals went down many times and the Internet connection was very slow.

"It's not possible to call anyone via cell phone," she said.

Employment Department deputy directorgeneral Sumet Mahosot said Labour Ministry permanent secretary Dr Somkiat Chayasriwong was heading a panel monitoring emergencies around the world to ensure Thai workers overseas received timely assistance.

The Thai government has also approved Bt5 million in assistance for Japan to help it cope with the impact of yesterday's natural disasters, which have left at least 40 dead, 39 missing and 244 others injured.

The earthquakes have also disrupted services, including flights from Narita Airport in Tokyo.

Thai Airways International (THAI) is preparing charter flights to carry 2,000 of its passengers out of Japan.

Ampon Kittiampon, chairman of the THAI board, said the airline's Crisis Management Operation Centre (CMOC) was considering sending charter flights to unaffected airports in Japan like Fukuoka and Nagoya, as well as to Pusan in Korea, to bring Thais home.

"Our president, Piyasvasti Amranand, is out there at the crisis centre in Bangkok. We are putting passengers' safety first," he said.

Ampon said average load factor on Japan routes was 80 per cent, though it was expected to drop during Golden Week, which falls at the end of this month. Moreover, the issue may impact flights from Thailand to Japan during school break next month.

The THAI board has acknowledged the fluctuation of jetfuel prices at approximately US$130 (Bt3,960) per barrel due to an increase in oil prices resulting from concerns about the uncertain Middle East situation and irregular cold weather in many parts of Europe, the USA and China.

THAI's hedging on jetfuel prices is 48 per cent for the first quarter and 44 per cent in the second quarter.

The airline's operating results for February 2011 in terms of available seat kilometres (ASK) were 2.9 per cent higher than in February 2010.

THAI's board also approved the purchasing of approximately 44.69 million gallons of aviation fuel for a contractual period of one year, from April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2012, for Bangkok, Jakarta, Denpasar, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Manila, Phnom Penh, Singapore and Taipei.

Thais in Japan

Thidarat Brouqueyre, a Thai housewife with two children, wrote on her Facebook page:

"The kids and I are at our friend's home in Yotsuya. We came from the kids' school and cannot go home now because all trains have stopped. I don't know yet when will we able to go back home, [the ground] is moving hard. Even now it's still moving. I can't contact my husband and hope he is OK; the phone isn't connecting. It's really scary, it's the worst one since I moved to Tokyo 12 years ago."

Panarat, a Thai national in Japan, said the situation was starting to go back to normal. People are going home and many are stocking dried foods. Electricity and water are usable but gas is still prohibited.

Prapa Lueangsopapan, a Thai national living in Osaka, said the situation was pretty safe and she had contacted her relatives in Thailand. Electricity is available and she can receive information from the news on television.

-- The Nation 2011-03-12

[londonthai]

"Meteorological Department provincial chief in Narathiwat, Manee Uttharak, said waves could reach the coast of Narathiwat by about 4.56am, reaching a height of 4 metres a kilometre off the coast. ... However, provincial Governor Thanon Wetchakorakanon played down the danger, issuing a statement that the waves' height should not be high and their force would not be too great. ... Department of Mineral Resources said the waves should reach Vietnam by 6.30am, before an analysis is made to determine whether tsunami warnings would be necessary"

what knowledge provincial governor has, to contradict opinion of the meteorological department?

4.56am has already passed, but it's strange, that only at 6.30am the wave comes to vietnam.

what happens with earthquakes, that there are aftershocks and those can be further west from the first epicentre, closer to thailand. People on the coast certainly should be on alert for the next few days

[eriksen]

Surely a sat phone would be an investment for embassy's....

[dunkin2012]

Where are Tsunami alert Devices? Only on the Andaman side or Not applicable for this situation? To be able to measure the Tsunami waves so they don't argue. Whatta waste?.....

[Mamasun]

Where are Tsunami alert Devices? Only on the Andaman side or Not applicable for this situation? To be able to measure the Tsunami waves so they don't argue. Whatta waste?.....

I am living in Nakon si Thammarat province...what's going on ? tsunami alerte or not, my house in an 30 meters from the sea

Any update of the situation ?

[ib1b4]

Where are Tsunami alert Devices? Only on the Andaman side or Not applicable for this situation? To be able to measure the Tsunami waves so they don't argue. Whatta waste?.....

You may need to read the post once more. Vietnam, Phillipines & Taiwan are not on the anderman side?

[jombom]

"Meteorological Department provincial chief in Narathiwat, Manee Uttharak, said waves could reach the coast of Narathiwat by about 4.56am, reaching a height of 4 metres a kilometre off the coast. ... However, provincial Governor Thanon Wetchakorakanon played down the danger, issuing a statement that the waves' height should not be high and their force would not be too great. ... Department of Mineral Resources said the waves should reach Vietnam by 6.30am, before an analysis is made to determine whether tsunami warnings would be necessary"

what knowledge provincial governor has, to contradict opinion of the meteorological department?

4.56am has already passed, but it's strange, that only at 6.30am the wave comes to vietnam.

what happens with earthquakes, that there are aftershocks and those can be further west from the first epicentre, closer to thailand. People on the coast certainly should be on alert for the next few days

It's called ''Normalcy''.

It was reported last night at 7pm approx, that the wave (less than 1 metre) had already arrived in Indonesia.

It is therefore reasonable to think it arrived in Thailand at much the same time. The Governor probably already knew this, but was too polite to mention it.

[webfact]

Academic: Japanese tsunami less destructive than in 2004

BANGKOK, 11 March 2011 (NNT) – An academic believes the tsunami recently triggered off the northeastern coast of Japan and now sweeping across the Pacific Ocean is not as powerful as the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.

Dr Smith Dhammasaroj, Chairman of the Foundation of National Disaster Warning Council, played down the current tsunami scare, saying that Thailand would not be affected as Japan, the country of the waves' origin, is located as far as 5,000 kilometers away.

The 10-meter high tsunami erupted today as a result of a massive 8.9 magnitude undersea earthquake northeast of Japan, causing extensive damages to the island nation, especially Miyagi Prefecture and its capital Sendai. The waves are now radiating across the Pacific Ocean while places to be hit include Russia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Hawaii and South Pacific islands.

However, Dr Smith pointed out that this tsunami would not cause destruction as monumental as its 2004 counterpart, which occurred off the western coast of Sumatra Island. The disaster impacted 14 countries bordering the Indian Ocean, including Thailand, and claimed over 230,000 lives.

Meanwhile, the Department of Mineral Resources has instructed related units to keep their eyes on the height and speed of waves in the Thai waters during this period. If any irregularities are found, a safety alert will be issued at once.

-- NNT 2011-03-12

[wackysleet]

Where are Tsunami alert Devices? Only on the Andaman side or Not applicable for this situation? To be able to measure the Tsunami waves so they don't argue. Whatta waste?.....

You may need to read the post once more. Vietnam, Phillipines & Taiwan are not on the anderman side?

I read this post and understood the poster to mean that the Tsunami alert devices in place were only put on the Andaman sea after the previous disaster but none placed on the side now in danger, seems a tight fisted approach seeing as Japan has had lot's of earth quakes in and around the country in recent years.

[asiawatcher]

It was highly unlikely the waves would be more than a few centimeters due to land interference in the path of the push. Thailand was not affected apart from a few swells. A bit of a knee jerk reaction ?

[jombom]

Here it is.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-03/11/c_13773641.htm

About 7 pm last night, and less than 1 metre.

[outre99]

Just look at the map. Most of the Thai coastline is protected by Vietnam and Cambodia sticking out from the main continent. It is possible that some reflected energy might generate secondary or tertiary waves. But you don't need to be an expert to see that it is very unlikely that there will be any significant danger even for the southern most provinces.

[sbk]

Well, better safe than sorry as I imagine if something had happened and no warning had been issued that would have been far worse than issuing a warning and nothing happens.

[animatic]

Well, better safe than sorry as I imagine if something had happened and no warning had been issued that would have been far worse than issuing a warning and nothing happens.

Around Songkla is a narrow but relatively straight line down from Japan.

Waves can propagate around obstacles and continue and even widen, speed up, or arc in area when coming past a partial block like Philipines, or Viet/Cambo. Or between two points, like islands, creating a venturi effect for the force not directly blocked by either island.

So this was certainly not out of possibility for some portions of a tsunami to get down here. Maybe not from the original temblor, but the aftershocks were moving southwards and more in line with that narrow path to southern Thailand.

Yes better safe than sorry.

Edited March 12, 2011 by animatic

[chris1967]

everything this tsunami is hitting is in the northern Pacific Rim; north of the 26 parallel; there is no imminent danger to anywhere in Thailand. Maybe Thai officials should think about organizing aid for the countries that are being affected instead of trying to make it about them (probably see a cash angle in there somewhere). Sincere condolences to the families that have lost loved ones in this tragedy.

[dunkin2012]

Where are Tsunami alert Devices? Only on the Andaman side or Not applicable for this situation? To be able to measure the Tsunami waves so they don't argue. Whatta waste?.....

You may need to read the post once more. Vietnam, Phillipines & Taiwan are not on the anderman side?

I read this post and understood the poster to mean that the Tsunami alert devices in place were only put on the Andaman sea after the previous disaster but none placed on the side now in danger, seems a tight fisted approach seeing as Japan has had lot's of earth quakes in and around the country in recent years.

Yep. I think similar .... ... If they are worried that the Tsunami waves from Japan will hit any parts of Thailand though. ..... These devices should be sittin' somewhere in the gulf.

[Chua]

Thailand's Tsunami alert was overly cautious at best, and needlessly fear-mongering at worst.

NOAA published this energy map less than 2 hours after the quake: from http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/2011/03/11/lhvpd9/energylhvpd9-05.jpg

Even a layperson can see that the entire South Bay of Thailand is about as close to 0 as it can be. (<3% of the energy that hit Japan).

Most all major Earthquakes occur at the intersections of tectonic plates:

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Plates_tect2_en.svg

Therefore, it is extremely unlikely that any Tsunami could ever occur in the Bay of Thailand or anywhere within the waters directly next to it. Notably, all the tectonic activity is on the far side of the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia, such that any Tsunami on that side would be mostly blocked by the land masses of those island chains.

Phuket, Krabi, and the West coast islands of Thailand are quite vulnerable to Tsunamis because they are on a different body of water (the Andaman sea) which is line of sight to Sumatra where the 2004 Earthquake caused the devastation there. However, on the other side of the country, due of the configuration of these land masses surrounding and protecting the Bay of Thailand from Tsunami's, it's inner coastlines and islands, such as Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao are some of safest ocean fronts in the world.

[snaggletooth]

Well, better safe than sorry as I imagine if something had happened and no warning had been issued that would have been far worse than issuing a warning and nothing happens.

Around Songkla is a narrow but relatively straight line down from Japan.

Waves can propagate around obstacles and continue and even widen, speed up, or arc in area when coming past a partial block like Philipines, or Viet/Cambo. Or between two points, like islands, creating a venturi effect for the force not directly blocked by either island.

So this was certainly not out of possibility for some portions of a tsunami to get down here. Maybe not from the original temblor, but the aftershocks were moving southwards and more in line with that narrow path to southern Thailand.

Yes better safe than sorry.

you have no idea of what you are talking about. anything less than magnitude 7 will not cause a tsunami, which all of the aftershocks have been.

[metisdead]

It is perfectly acceptable to report on events and give opinions, it is not acceptable to post in an inflammatory manner. Two posts removed.

[Soutpeel]

it's inner coastlines and islands, such as Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao are some of safest ocean fronts in the world.

If you dont consider erosion of course....

[Soutpeel]

I read this post and understood the poster to mean that the Tsunami alert devices in place were only put on the Andaman sea after the previous disaster

Believe the battery on that run out....

[tigermonkey]

Now more than a day after the 8.9 earthquake -- are they still waiting for the tsunami?

I am sorry that they feel left out of the excitement, or maybe they want emergency funding.

"reaching a height of 4 metres a kilometre off the coast'" they say -- that is a very big tsunami ! Tsunamis do not show as waves until they reach very shallow water . If it's 4 metres at a kilometre off the coast ( unless it is very shallow there), the wave would be what when it impacts ? -- 8 metres ? -- 10 metres ?

Edited March 12, 2011 by tigermonkey

[londonthai]

if you have just wake up, it's worth to know, the wave was expected early morning.

the thing is, aftershocks might be happening for the next few days or even weeks, and there is always danger of yet another tsunami. Locals on the sea coast should be aware of this

[dananderson]

Well, better safe than sorry as I imagine if something had happened and no warning had been issued that would have been far worse than issuing a warning and nothing happens.

Around Songkla is a narrow but relatively straight line down from Japan.

Waves can propagate around obstacles and continue and even widen, speed up, or arc in area when coming past a partial block like Philipines, or Viet/Cambo. Or between two points, like islands, creating a venturi effect for the force not directly blocked by either island.

So this was certainly not out of possibility for some portions of a tsunami to get down here. Maybe not from the original temblor, but the aftershocks were moving southwards and more in line with that narrow path to southern Thailand.

Yes better safe than sorry.

you have no idea of what you are talking about. anything less than magnitude 7 will not cause a tsunami, which all of the aftershocks have been.

Neither does Fox news. Last night they asked a BKK correspondent when the tsunami would hit Thailand in 2 different interviews. Both times he had to tell then that Taiwan and Indonesia were under warning, not Thailand. I'm sure there were more than a couple fox fans running for the hills. My sympathy's go out to those affected by this tragic event.

[animatic]

Well, better safe than sorry as I imagine if something had happened and no warning had been issued that would have been far worse than issuing a warning and nothing happens.

Around Songkla is a narrow but relatively straight line down from Japan.

Waves can propagate around obstacles and continue and even widen, speed up, or arc in area when coming past a partial block like Philipines, or Viet/Cambo. Or between two points, like islands, creating a venturi effect for the force not directly blocked by either island.

So this was certainly not out of possibility for some portions of a tsunami to get down here. Maybe not from the original temblor, but the aftershocks were moving southwards and more in line with that narrow path to southern Thailand.

Yes better safe than sorry.

you have no idea of what you are talking about. anything less than magnitude 7 will not cause a tsunami, which all of the aftershocks have been.

Neither does Fox news. Last night they asked a BKK correspondent when the tsunami would hit Thailand in 2 different interviews. Both times he had to tell then that Taiwan and Indonesia were under warning, not Thailand. I'm sure there were more than a couple fox fans running for the hills. My sympathy's go out to those affected by this tragic event.

And you actually believe only magnitude 7 quakes can cause a tsunami? Sorry, I don't buy into your laizaie faire response.

I know wave theory, and what I stated above is accurate, and it is not impossible for parts of Thailand to get hit by under sea earthquakes in Japans area. Particularly from the southern end as the fault turns eastward.

Nothing like what hit Japan of course, but if a man can be sucked to sea in Oregon, then it could happen in Songkla too.

We were off axis to the wave front driver which definitely helped minimizing it in our direction, while Japan was close and face on.

As too FauxNews... they would be clueless it's their job description.

Edited March 12, 2011 by animatic

[mkawish]

Strangely....

Just watched a Japanese news broadcast which said that there was a nuclear power plant explosion in Japan right after the Tsunami....

and that the Russian stands ready to render assistance cause once just several years ago, there was also such similar devastation in Russia....

But did not hear nor see anything on Thai stations....

Does the Thai govt try to tone down the Japanese nuclear power plant explosion news....

so as hopefully it would be able to carry on its nuclear power generators projects in Thailand without Thai people learning about such possible accident in their own peaceful country....?

[animatic]

Strangely....

Just watched a Japanese news broadcast which said that there was a nuclear power plant explosion in Japan right after the Tsunami....

and that the Russian stands ready to render assistance cause once just several years ago, there was also such similar devastation in Russia....

But did not hear nor see anything on Thai stations....

Does the Thai govt try to tone down the Japanese nuclear power plant explosion news....

so as hopefully it would be able to carry on its nuclear power generators projects in Thailand without Thai people learning about such possible accident in their own peaceful country....?

This tactic might work form awhile, but full meltdown will be a trifle hard to hide....

One can certainly hope this will be the end of Thailands foolish nuclear hopes and pipe dreams.... If the Japanese can't pull it off then Thailand has no chance in hell.

Edited March 12, 2011 by animatic