Disaster Warning System Set For 57 Provinces

[george]

Disaster warning system set for 57 provinces

BANGKOK: -- Thailand will install an early warning system in 144 locations considered vulnerable to natural disaster in 57 provinces nationwide, according to Government spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee.

The two-year project, from 2005 to 2007, was assigned to the Committee for the Development of an Early Warning System and the National Disaster Warning Centre of Thailand, the spokesman said.

Mr. Surapong said the plan is being implemented in three phases. Phase 1 of the warning system has already been installed in 76 locations in six Andaman Sea provinces -- Phuket, Phang-nga, Krabi, Trang, Satun, and Ranong.

In Phase 2, installation is currently being carried out in 48 locations, with all expected to be complete by the end of September.

And in Phase 3, Mr. Surapong said, the remaining warning alarms will be installed in 20 locations, completing the targeted 144 locations in 57 provinces nationwide.

Funds are not yet available for the last stage, the spokesman said, but implementation of Phase 3 will take place after budget approval.

Whatever shapes or sizes natural disasters come in, the warning system will operate automatically, without human intervention, and the warning sirens can be heard within a one kolometre radius.

The early warning system will help reduce the loss of lives caused by natural disasters, especially floods and mudslides experienced by several provinces every year, as an instant evacuation can be prompted, said the spokesman.

--TNA 2006-08-21

[Tony Clifton]

the warning system will operate automatically, without human intervention,

That IS an improvement.

[billzant]

Dear Forum,

How are you?

Any details on how people will be warned?

Hope you are keeping well,

All the Best

Bill Z

[Scott]

I would like the names of the provinces that aren't prone to having natural disasters. I'd like to live somewhere where it never rains too much, doesn't have drought, doesn't have earthquakes, tsunami's, typhoons, or twisters.

[kalaminsa]

Disaster warning system set for 57 provinces

hmmm.. I wonder if they intend to start sounding the alarm on the 28'th in Suvarnabhumi ?

[Jai Dee]

National Disaster Warning Center calls on Govt. to continue installation of warning systems

Director of the National Disaster Warning Center calls on the government to continue the installation of warning systems at 57 provinces across the country, adding that the installation should be completed before the next raining season to prevent flooding and landslide.

Director of the National Disaster Warning Center, Smith Thamasaros (สมิทธ ธรรมสโรช) said the 57 provinces, whose disaster warning systems are pending, are from the North, Northeastern, and Middle regions.

Mr Smith said further that the center has finished installing warning systems in six provinces of the western part of the Southern region. As for other 14 provinces along the Gulf of Thailand, he said the installation in these areas is expected to be completed at the end of February next year.

Meanwhile, Inspector General Gen.Lertrat Rattanawanich (เลิศรัตน์ รัตนวานิช), President of a public relations subcommittee under the National Warning Center, said on December 26 this year, which marks the second anniversary of the tsunami disaster, all provinces will organize activities to allow Thai people to realize the importance of accident and disaster preventions and promote a sense of safety among them.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 December 2006

[PhilHarries]

National Disaster Warning Center calls on Govt. to continue installation of warning systems

Director of the National Disaster Warning Center calls on the government to continue the installation of warning systems at 57 provinces across the country, adding that the installation should be completed before the next raining season to prevent flooding and landslide.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 21 December 2006

This automatic system will "without human intervention" prevent flooding and landslides? I sincerely hope that something got lost in the translation there and people don't get complacent "We're OK, the new warning system will protect us".

I've said before in another thread that these systems are OK provided they are properly designed, installed, operated and maintained. Added to that they should be periodically tested and the populations in the areas covered fully informed about what to do if the alarm goes off.

Even so I'm extremely sceptical regarding the efficacy of such alarm systems. A flash flood is called that not because it oozes down the hillside. My fear is that by the time the system detects a flash flood and sounds the alarm it is too late, it is all over.

But if they are talking about a system that warns of the potential of, say, flash floods I cannot see how it can do so without human intervention. There are too many aspects to be considered to leave entirely to automated systems, you need a degree of assessment, local knowledge and pure gut feeling. It only takes a few false alarms for the 'boy that cried wolf' syndrome to set in.

Personally I believe that a lot of these so called disaster prevention system schemes are just a sign of government agencies doing something for no reason but to be seen to be doing something.

[Tony Clifton]

First test.