‘Batteries need to be changed’: 80pc of Thailand's tsunami warning system needs maintenance
Thailand’s warning system includes warning towers, a network of detection buoys in the sea and public announcement systems
Up to 80 per cent of Thailand’s tsunami warning system needs maintenance work, the deputy director-general of its disaster prevention department said on Monday, more than a decade after the region was hit by a tsunami that killed 226,000 people.
A 9.15 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra in Indonesia on December 26, 2004 and triggered a massive tsunami that caused large scaled destruction and loss of life throughout the Indian Ocean.
Popular tourist destination Thailand was among the worst affected, along with Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka. Many of the 5,395 people killed in Thailand were foreign tourists holidaying along the shores of its idyllic islands and beaches.
Thailand’s warning system includes warning towers, a network of detection buoys in the sea and public announcement systems.
“Around 70 to 80 per cent, or around 2,000 pieces, need to be taken care of. We set up this system since 2006 so it needs to be maintained,” Kobchai Boonyaorana, deputy director-general of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department, said, referring to various equipment.