Coastal towns urged to run their own tsunami sensors

Jakarta criticised for not heeding geologists' warnings of likely volcano-linked tidal wave

The scene in Tanjung Lesung, Banten province, in the aftermath of the Dec 22 tsunami that hit the west coast of Java. In his call to involve the local communities, geologist Roger Scoon says they "are more organised and technically skilled than we en
The scene in Tanjung Lesung, Banten province, in the aftermath of the Dec 22 tsunami that hit the west coast of Java. In his call to involve the local communities, geologist Roger Scoon says they "are more organised and technically skilled than we envisage and they could manage this well". PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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Geologists have urged that communities along the coastal areas facing the Sunda Strait and hit by last month's deadly tsunami be roped in to run their own tsunami warning sensors and undertake their maintenance as well.

They have also criticised the central government for failing to follow up on at least two studies by notable geologists who had predicted the Anak Krakatoa volcano could someday spawn a deadly tsunami.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 24, 2019, with the headline Coastal towns urged to run their own tsunami sensors. Subscribe