https://asiapacificreport.nz/2022/01/27/why-no-warning-sirens-before-tongas-deadly-tsunami-hit-minister-unclear/ Independent Asia Pacific news and analysis Sat, 29 Jan 2022 11:36:28 +0000 hourly 1 https://asiapacificreport.nz/2022/01/27/why-no-warning-sirens-before-tongas-deadly-tsunami-hit-minister-unclear/#comment-19352 Sat, 29 Jan 2022 11:36:28 +0000 https://asiapacificreport.nz/?p=69334#comment-19352 It’s easy to be critical about the lack of sirens in a disaster situation like this. But these are small Pacific islands where infrastructure is minimal and warning systems often depend on an initial alert from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu. Countries on the Pacific rim of fire like Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, PNG, Indonesia etc can be hit by a local earthquake or volcano which can generate a tsunami that will hit the local shoreline within 15 to 30 minutes. That requires local expertise and public education. I’m sure there’ll be studies on this disaster with recommendations to prepare these island nations for disasters like these (even if it might 1/100 years!)

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