Daily tsunami warning tests deferred

PHUKET: Testing of the National Disaster Warning Center (NDWC) tsunami warning system, scheduled for this morning, was canceled by the agency out of fear that it could create a public panic in areas where the public had not been adequately informed.

Dr Smith Dharmasaroja, who heads the Nonthaburi-based NDWC, told the Gazette this morning that a comprehensive system test will take place soon, probably next month, but only after coordination with Governor’s offices in each of the six provinces where warning towers are located.

In the meantime, officials may conduct localized testing that could result in some siren tower loudspeakers making a “knocking” sound as officials test them by tapping on a microphone.

The public should not be alarmed by such sounds as these are only part of routine testing, he said.

Dr Smith reiterated that all of the system’s 79 warning towers are operational.

They are “silently” tested on a daily basis, he added.

In Phuket, officers of the Phuket Provincial Office for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (ODPM) this morning tested one of three tsunami towers in Rawai using a microphone test.

Phuket ODPM Chief Aroon Kerdsom told the Gazette that the test was a success.

Similar testing of tsunami warning towers in the province is expected to follow, starting on April 12, he said.