Early Warning For Disasters
Twin Tropical Cyclones Piparo Mud Volcano
Kick em Jenny Floods
Bush Fires
Early warning can be described as a combination of tools and processes embedded within institutions and coordinated national, regional or international agencies.
Early warning focusses on four main areas:
1. Knowledge of the risk,
2. Technical monitoring and warning service,
3. Dissemination of meaningful warnings to vulnerable people, and
4. Public awareness and preparedness to act.
Warning services are central to the early warning system and are expected to be always available and reliable.
Early warning systems improve a society's resilience to disasters by:
a. reducing loss of life
b. providing early notification of a hazzard that could lead to a disaster
c. allows orderly disruption of social and economic facilities
d. improves traffic control and,
e. reduces stress on the general population
Early Warning Systems in Trinidad and Tobago
River data collection systems
The Water and Sewerage Authority has a data collection system comprises a monitoring network of gauges which measures and reports rainfall, streamflow, groundwater, evaporation and water quality parameters at strategically located sites throughout Trinidad and Tobago. This information is provided to the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) and the Trinidad & Tobago Meteorological Service (MET Office) especially during times of heavy, prolonged rainfall so that early warning can be communicated on rising river levels that could lead to flooding.
Satellite tracking of weather systems, seasonal climate outlook and weather forecasting
The MET office provides real time satellite monitoring of weather systems and issues public bulletins mostly via electronic media. Its disseminates information via its web page, printed media, social media and electronic media on the sea state and provides daily weather forecasts for Trinidad and Tobago and the Lesser Antilles.
Tsunami Warning System
The TT Met Office acting on advice from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, is in charge of issuing tsunami messages. When these messages are received, the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management (ODPM) coordinates relevant stakeholder agencies to produce an appropriate response to the tsunami hazard. This is considered to be the most safety critical of all warning mechanisms as it must rapidly disseminate any occurrence of undersea activity that is likely to produce a tsunami.
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