New set of tsunami detectors being installed in the Indian Ocean
The National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC) has sent a transport boat to pick up the existing Tsunami detectors and to deliver a new set to the middle of the Indian Ocean.
The new set of tsunami detector systems have been installed on at the latitude 9 degrees North and longitude 89 degrees East position. The installation is taking place from yesterday, October – October 18.
In 2010, the NDWC removed the original DART II receiving system from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) for maintenance and installed the Easy to Deploy (ETD) tsunami detection system instead. This year, the centre is repairing the DART II to increase its reliability and effectiveness, then placing it back in position.
After the tragic disaster 13 years ago, the centre has made a Memorandum of Association with the NOAA from the US, which has helped with the installation and recharging of the detectors. One year after the Tsunami, the centre installed the Deep Ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami model ll (DART 2), which consisted of a buoy with electronic devices and undersea pressure measure equipment to track down the movement of the sea level which then sends the information via satellite to the onshore station. This detector works alongside other detectors around the globe and sends the information to the NDWC for assessment and co-ordination.
“Officers now monitor tsunami activity 24/7 and we integrate the work with other departments involved so we can best estimate the tendency of another disaster, making the warning fast and accurate. We cooperate with all the emergency broadcast towers along the coasts and all the risky areas to warn people to evacuate on time,” said Chatchawan Benjasiriwong, Director of NDWC.
“There are units now working on monitoring and managing possible disasters covering the whole Andaman region which provide us with accurate information 24 hours a day. This installation in the Indian Ocean will help protect the island island and adjacent areas and reduce the damage of a possible disaster.”
