Malaysia to launch tsunami alert system

Malaysia to launch tsunami alert system

MALAYSIA: Malaysia will launch a tsunami early-warning system
on Dec. 26, the first anniversary of last year's deadly
earthquake-and-tsunami disaster, news reports said on Sunday.

Seismic detection buoys will be placed in waters near
Indonesia's Sumatra island, which is prone to earthquakes that
could trigger tsunamis, said Malaysian Science Minister Jamaludin
Jarjis.

"The network of deep ocean buoys and tidal gauges will monitor
sea level changes," Jamaludin was quoted as saying by the New
Sunday Times newspaper.

Malaysia will coordinate the network with international
centers such as the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center and the Japan
Meteorological Agency, Jamaludin added.

The system is expected to give Malaysians living on the
coastline about one hour's warning before a tsunami strikes, the
report said.

Last year's tsunami killed 68 Malaysians, mostly villagers who
lived in coastal areas of northwestern peninsular Malaysia, which
is separated from Sumatra by the narrow Malacca Strait. -- DPA