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Monday, January 10, 2005
Tsunami scare causes evacuation on Davao Oriental
SEVERAL residents living along the shores of Davao Oriental reportedly left their homes over the weekend as they allegedly observed the swelling of the seas the past days.
Unconfirmed reports identified the affected towns as Lambajon in Baganga and Caraga.
Lambajon residents reportedly observed a "very low tide" while Caraga residents observed the high swelling of the seas.
Davao Oriental Representative Corazon Malanyaon told Sun.Star Davao Sunday that she also received the same report from her constituents saying the residents there feared that a tsunami would also hit their place.
It was not known though how many families left their homes and whether they had returned to their houses.
The rumors, which were also spread through text messages, however, appear to be just pranks since tsunamis are triggered by strong earthquakes.
There has been no such earthquake reported anywhere in Asia and Pacific areas in the past few days.
This development came about as experts from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology (Phivolcs) said there is a possibility that a tsunami can hit the region, it having a long coastline.
For this Phivolcs 11 officer-in-charge Desiderio Cabanlit Saturday proposed for the development of a tsunami warning system.
Cabanlit admitted that the country do not have the equipment to monitor tsunamis.
"Japan has a high technology seismographic system that monitors untoward movement of the seabed. It is best if we could establish the same system here pero very costly ito," Cabanlit said.
In the absence of superb equipment for detecting tsunamis, Cabanlit advised the public especially those living near coastal areas to take precautionary measures in the event of a tsunami.
Safety steps
Cabanlit said if one feels a strong earthquake, then the person must move quickly away from the tidal lowlands to higher ground.
"If you hear that an earthquake has occurred under the ocean or a coastal region, be prepared to move to higher ground. Tsunamis often signal their arrival by a precursory rise or fall of coastal water and this warning should be heeded. Do not go down to beaches or waterfront to watch for a tsunami. Follow the advice of your local emergency organization," Cabanlit said.
Cabanlit said an earthquake alone is a warning.
Meanwhile, Regional Disaster Coordinating Council Executive Director Carmelito Lupo said that they continue with their information campaign on tsunamis especially to the residents at coastal areas. (BOT)
(January 10, 2005 issue)
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