Tsunami drill to be held in Phuket

PHUKET, 10 May 2012 (NNT) - The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) is holding a tsunami alert and response exercise in Phuket province during May 10-11 in order to ready local authorities and residents for possible giant waves in six provinces along the Andaman Coast.

Deputy Interior Minister Pol. Lt. Gen. Chalong Sonjai explained that the great loss of lives and properties sustained from the 2004 tsunami in Phang Nga, Ranong, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun provinces has prompted the government to organize a tsunami drill. The aim of the exercise is to prepare all relevant parties involved in tsunami response operations and enhance the alert system, operation command, and inter-agency coordination in a tsunami scenario.

Meanwhile, DDPM Director-General Viboon Sa-nguanpong said that the tsunami drill is a functional exercise which involves local authorities, military and residents. The exercise stresses mainly on data analysis, tsunami alert and operation command. The experience and problems encountered during the drill will be beneficial for the enhancement of the the country's tsunami response plan.

-- NNT 2012-05-10