The Hindu : International : Japan offers Asian nations early warning system

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 07, 2005

International

International

Japan offers Asian nations early warning system

TOKYO, JAN. 6. Japanese Government has envisioned a system to help Asian nations construct a tsunami early warning system that will utilise round-the-clock satellite monitoring of water pressure in the sea.

The Japanese Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi, will announce the development of the co-ordinated effort among countries offering tsunami aid at an emergency meeting being held in Jakarta, Japanese daily, the Daily Yomiuri said today.

Any abnormal changes in water pressure would be relayed to an alert centre to be set up in the region. On receipt of an alert, the centre would inform regional Governments of the threat, enabling them to issue evacuation orders.

The system will commence operation in 2006, according to the paper. The Government hopes to discuss multilateral funding for the project at a Ministerial meeting on relief measures on Monday in Geneva and at the U.N. World Conference on Disaster Reduction on Jan. 18 to 22 in Kobe, western Japan.

Under the plan, buoys fitted with sensors would be set adrift in different locations in the Indian Ocean to monitor changes in water pressure and water levels.

Signals from the buoys would be relayed via a satellite for analysis at the monitoring centre, which would issue warnings to relevant Governments likely to be affected by tsunami. — PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International

News Update

Stories in this Section

Surge in Iraq violence as poll nears

Blair dismisses illness speculation

U.N. launches $1-billion relief effort

Bar on scientists

Whitbread list

Internet scams begin cashing in

Fresh Guantanamo probe

Japan offers Asian nations early warning system

Top U.S. cardiac surgeon ends life

Natwar holds talks with Wen Jiabao