Tsunami drill 'exposes communications problem'

A crucial link in the communications chain to alert top Thai emergency officials of possible tsunamis failed to work today during a simulation of a Pacific region-wide warning system.

Messages from Thailand’s National Disaster Warning Centre sent by SMS to the country’s five top emergency co-ordinators failed to reach their targets or were delayed for hours, said Dr Cherdsak Virapat, the centre’s chief for International Co-ordination.