DISASTER EARLY WARNING SYSTEM ON PAR WITH DEVELOPED COUNTRIES

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 18 (Bernama) -- The disaster early warning system used by the
Malaysian Meteorological Department (JMM) is on par with meteorological agencies
and tsunami warning centres in developed countries.

Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Fadillah Yusof said the
system is as good as that used by Japan Meterological Agency and Pacific Tsunami
Warning Centre (PTWC).

He told the Lower House of Parliament that equipments used to monitor extreme
weather, typhoons and rough seas include 12 doppler radars stationed at
strategic places nationwide.

It also include geostationary and orbit satellite monitoring systems like Feng
Yun multi-functional transport satellite (MTSAT), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Moderate Resolution Imaging
Spectroradiometre (MODIS).

"Forty synoptic stations, eight airborne and a network of 108 monitoring systems
that automatically monitor the weather are also involved," he said in reply to a
question Monday.

Fadillah said weather warning could be issued in three to seven days before
disasters occur using monitoring systems and global forecast models.

"Information, advice, earthquake and tsunami warnings can be issued 12 minutes
after they are detected," he said.

JMM also provide weather monitoring up to three months based on seasonal models
of world climatic centres for use by disaster management agencies in preparing
for the monsoon season.
-- BERNAMA