Taiwan: Premier calls for earthquake-response mechanism
Premier Wu Den-yih received a briefing at the January 21 Cabinet meeting by the National Science Council on the inter-ministerial mechanism to apply technology to earthquake-related disaster-prevention efforts. Afterward, he remarked that the mechanism would be key to aiding disaster prevention and recovery work, given the frequency with which earthquakes strike Taiwan. The mechanism would be of particular help for measures adopted prior to earthquakes to prepare the nation for such disasters, measures taken when temblors strike and efforts for post-earthquake reconstruction, he added.
Premier Wu went on to instruct relevant government agencies to begin collaboration on implementing the NSC’s suggestions, which include building a dedicated communications network, strengthening buildings in high-risk areas, setting up a national disaster management platform and promoting the passage of a “geology act.”
The NSC said that the focus of the mechanism should be on carrying out surveys to obtain information and conducting research based on that data. Other key tasks include the transmission of information, damage assessments, improving buildings’ earthquake resistance and strengthening structures. These efforts will require research on earthquake precursors, in-depth studies on disaster mitigation and high-risk areas, earthquake-resistance tests on and strengthening of schools and dormitories, and enhancing the ability of bridges to withstand tremors and monitoring their safety. Also needed are the implementation of a system to provide real-time alerts during major earthquakes, the establishment of a nationwide damage assessment system and an earthquake disaster prevention and relief information network, surveys on damage after earthquakes, and the amendment of related laws and regulations.
In wrapping up its report, the NSC stated that it would establish a dedicated network to ensure normal, stable communications with the Central Disaster Emergency Operations Center. This would serve to ameliorate problems associated with backlogs or interruptions. The agency also said that setting up early warning systems, to be triggered by the lag time between P and S seismic waves, at elementary and junior-high schools in high-risk areas would help to prevent disaster. It further called for testing early warning systems and for holding earthquake drills regularly at schools.