Alert on possible tsunami after 7.9 magnitude quake (Updated)
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department has advised people in the northern states of Perlis, Kedah, Perak and Penang to move away from beaches as a safety precaution against a possible tsunami alert in the wake of a powerful earthquake that struck off Sumatra, Indonesia at 7.10pm.
Science Technology and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis said fishermen in these states should return to shore immediately for their safety.
He said although no tsunami had been detected but any new information would be relayed to the police stations, relevant departments and the media as soon as they are available.
The minister said further information would be relayed by 11pm.
Malaysian is adequately equipped to detect a tsunami and issue a warning within an hour before it reaches the shore.
The system is based on two buoys - one in the Andaman Sea near Rondo Island in Indonesia and the other in the South China Sea near Pulau Layang-layang in Sabah.
Malaysians would be able to receive notice of evacuation via television, radio, satellite broadcast and SMS within 15 minutes of data transmission from the buoys.
Tremors were felt in parts of the west coast of peninsular Malaysia when the quake, centered at 105 km southwest of Bengkulu, Sumatra and 718km southwest of Johor Bahru, struck at a depth of 15.6km.
In JOHOR BARU, thousands of people at the Bukit Cagar flats evacuated their homes after they felt tremors. Residents at the 17-storey blocks of flats said they felt the tremors at around 7pm and quickly made their way down to the ground floor.
Storekeeper Pang Tai Kuang, 35, said he was awakened by the tremors, which lasted about 15 minutes.
Housewife Juliana Ghazali, 28, who just gave birth three days ago, had to walk down from her flat on the 15th floor because the elevator was out of service.
“I was scared and quickly made my way out. But I am feeling dizzy now from the physical exertion as I am still weak from the delivery,” she said.
In Malacca, residents of several high-rise apartments rushed out after feeling the tremors. Residents of apartments in Ujong Pasir and Banda Hilir felt it the most.
Michael Nunis, 58, who was visiting a friend in Ujong Pasir, said:
“ At first I did not realise that it was an earthquake until someone asked around whether they felt the vibrations,” he said.
Gloria Wong, 30, said she was with her three children on the eighth floor of the 12-storey Kekwah apartment when she felt the tremors for five to six seconds.
“ I was scared and immediately rushed down with my children, using the staircase,” she said, adding that there were about 100 people when they came down to the ground floor.
Residents at the Kuala LumpurHospital quarters were asked to evacuate the three blocks of flats after tremors were felt.
Gurdav Kaur, 40 said her mother saw the fish aquarium shaking, and soon after announcements were made ordering residents to evacuate the buildings.
“The authorities have been conducting checks to see whether it is safe for us to go back in,” she added.
In PENANG, the police were put on alert after the Meteorological Department issued a tsunami advisory alert.
George Town OCPD Asst Comm Azam Abd Hamid said patrol cars were deployed to Gurney Drive and the Esplanade to advise people to stay away from the promenade.
Source : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/9/12/nation/20070912222055&sec=nation
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Meteorological Department has advised people in the northern states of Perlis, Kedah, Perak and Penang to move away from beaches as a safety precaution against a possible tsunami alert in the wake of a powerful earthquake that struck off Sumatra, Indonesia at 7.10pm.
Science Technology and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis said fishermen in these states should return to shore immediately for their safety.
He said although no tsunami had been detected but any new information would be relayed to the police stations, relevant departments and the media as soon as they are available.
The minister said further information would be relayed by 11pm.
Malaysian is adequately equipped to detect a tsunami and issue a warning within an hour before it reaches the shore.
The system is based on two buoys - one in the Andaman Sea near Rondo Island in Indonesia and the other in the South China Sea near Pulau Layang-layang in Sabah.
Malaysians would be able to receive notice of evacuation via television, radio, satellite broadcast and SMS within 15 minutes of data transmission from the buoys.
Tremors were felt in parts of the west coast of peninsular Malaysia when the quake, centered at 105 km southwest of Bengkulu, Sumatra and 718km southwest of Johor Bahru, struck at a depth of 15.6km.
In JOHOR BARU, thousands of people at the Bukit Cagar flats evacuated their homes after they felt tremors. Residents at the 17-storey blocks of flats said they felt the tremors at around 7pm and quickly made their way down to the ground floor.
Storekeeper Pang Tai Kuang, 35, said he was awakened by the tremors, which lasted about 15 minutes.
Housewife Juliana Ghazali, 28, who just gave birth three days ago, had to walk down from her flat on the 15th floor because the elevator was out of service.
“I was scared and quickly made my way out. But I am feeling dizzy now from the physical exertion as I am still weak from the delivery,” she said.
In Malacca, residents of several high-rise apartments rushed out after feeling the tremors. Residents of apartments in Ujong Pasir and Banda Hilir felt it the most.
Michael Nunis, 58, who was visiting a friend in Ujong Pasir, said:
“ At first I did not realise that it was an earthquake until someone asked around whether they felt the vibrations,” he said.
Gloria Wong, 30, said she was with her three children on the eighth floor of the 12-storey Kekwah apartment when she felt the tremors for five to six seconds.
“ I was scared and immediately rushed down with my children, using the staircase,” she said, adding that there were about 100 people when they came down to the ground floor.
Residents at the Kuala LumpurHospital quarters were asked to evacuate the three blocks of flats after tremors were felt.
Gurdav Kaur, 40 said her mother saw the fish aquarium shaking, and soon after announcements were made ordering residents to evacuate the buildings.
“The authorities have been conducting checks to see whether it is safe for us to go back in,” she added.
In PENANG, the police were put on alert after the Meteorological Department issued a tsunami advisory alert.
George Town OCPD Asst Comm Azam Abd Hamid said patrol cars were deployed to Gurney Drive and the Esplanade to advise people to stay away from the promenade.
Source : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/9/12/nation/20070912222055&sec=nation
