Phuket’s Tsunami Warning Radars
Thailand’s number one island paradise seeks to reinforce its safety measures against natural disasters with the upcoming installation of tsunami warning radars.Officials from the National Disaster Warning Center along with representatives of the Phuket local government attended a conference on tsunami warning radar installation held at the conference room of the Phuket Provincial Hall. The seminar was conducted by the President of the National Disaster Warning Center, Dr. Smith Dharmasaroj, and Dr. Wattana Kanbua, the Director of Marine Metrological Center. Radar installation experts from Norway and England also provided essential information about the new technology in this well-attended event.
Dr. Wattana revealed that the warning devices will be installed near Promthep Cape and Kha Daeng Bay near Rawai Beach. “The Marine Metrological Center will be in charge of the installation of the radars, which can send out warning signals within 15 minutes of detecting a possible tsunami,” he shares.
Meanwhile, Dr. Smith added that the tsunami warning radars can be utilized further beyond emergency measures. “These radars can also measure wave height and current speed, which can greatly benefit the tourism and marine industries,” he says. Six sets of tsunami warning radars are set to be installed in July this year along the coastline of the Andaman.
Various measures are being enforced to avoid a repeat of the disaster that struck Phuket along with its neighboring areas in 2004, which killed and injured thousands of locals and foreigners. Currently, tsunami warning towers such as the ones installed at Saphan Hin and Patong Beach are in operation, but the full network of warning devices have yet to be completed. An emergency drill has also been conducted last December 2009, which saw approximately 200 participants.
In light of the recent major earthquakes in Haiti and Chile which has generated concern over the current seismic activity in the region, Phuket Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob recommended a repeat of the emergency drill in April this year, when thousands of tourists are expected to visit Phuket in celebration of Thai New Year.