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