Warning towers "useless"
Crippled by robberies and inadequate maintenance, tsunami warning towers in some provinces in the South may not be able to send out an alarm when needed.
“I found that several towers were in a poor condition, with thieves having stolen loudspeakers and other equipment. The early-warning system in Ranong may not work properly,” Watchara Thirarattanangkoon said yesterday in his capacity as chairman of the Foundation of National Disaster Warning Council’s Ranong branch.
There are 13 warning towers in Ranong, one of the six southern provinces hit by the 2004 tsunami.
“Locals are now worried,” said Wichai Sricharoen, chairman of the Bang Hin Tambon Administrative Organisation. Bang Hin is in Ranong’s Kapoe district.
Wichai said the locals wanted relevant authorities to repair the towers and ensure they are in working condition.
“Local administrative bodies cannot do much because the signal is linked to the central system,” he said.
He also complained that the signboards were quite confusing and people might not be able to find safe evacuation routes in times of emergencies.
Samniang Maneerat, acting chief |of Ranong’s disaster prevention and |mitigation office, said a meeting would be |held to identify clearly evacuation spots in |the province.
Similar problems exist in Trang as well.
“I think the country is just 50 per cent ready to deal with tsunami risks,” Parkpoom Wimantirawat said yesterday on behalf of the Andaman Foundation’s Trang branch.
