A WORKSHOP aimed at improving rapid alert systems for tsunamis was held at the Ministry of Transport in Nay Pyi Taw on November 21 and 22.

The meeting was organised by the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific, and Thailand-based Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre.

The Minister of Transport, Major General Thein Swe, said at the opening ceremony that Myanmar received tsunami information from a variety of sources, including the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii and the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Two tide gauges had also been installed near Sittwe and Mawlamyine to monitor sea-level changes in the event of a tsunami, he said.

He said the government allocated US$300,000 in fiscal 2007-2008 to establish network systems to monitor earthquake activity in the region. He also said international cooperation was essential in preparing for natural disasters because such events did not recognise national boundaries.

“We must work in line with the objectives of this workshop to share expertise on building a tsunami warning system,” he said.