VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam’s first tsunami warning system comprising a network of 10 centers was successfully tested in central Da Nang City on May 15.

The test was conducted by the Central Steering Board for Flood and Storm Prevention and Control at the Army’s 575 Communications Regiment in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai.

The imaginary scenario for the testing was an earthquake of magnitude 8.8 hitting the sea to the west of the Philippines 2,000 km from Da Nang at 9:55 am, causing a tsunami directly threatening Da Nang and some other central provinces a few hours later.

Within 10 minutes, the system received early warning signals from the Global Physics Institute in Hanoi and immediately activated its high-capacity siren and broadcast the first report on the earthquake and a likely tsunami.

Within four to six minutes, with updated information from the institute, the system released a second report on how powerful and how high the tsunami will be, when it will make landfall, which areas may be worst affected, and where people should be moved to.

At the same time, mobile subscribers in the threatened areas received a warning message on their phones.

After the tsunami hit, a third report was broadcast to guide rescue efforts, provide relief measures, and sound all-clear signals for people return to their homes.

A number of military units took part in the drill.

After the testing ended successfully, Hai ordered relevant agencies to actively prepare for a major tsunami drill in Da Nang in October.

He also ordered them to connect the early warning system with other disaster warning systems to form an integrated network.

Source: Tuoi Tre