According to a study conducted by BRIN, the tsunami detection tool called InaTEWS, which uses a device called a buoy, was found to be ineffective, Handoko revealed.
"Our research aims to create the best tsunami early detection system, and it turns out that InaTEWS, whose main base is optical cable-based sensors, was not very successful," Handoko stated during a press conference at the BRIN Office in Jakarta, Friday.
Handoko made the statement in response to the claim that BRIN had abandoned a tsunami detector called InaBuoy due to the lack of budget, so this facility was discontinued.
Handoko explained that the task conducted, so far, by both the Assessment and Application of Technology Agency (BPPT), in the past, and BRIN, in the present, was only to conduct research.
Meanwhile, the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) is in charge of operating the tsunami early detection device, he added.
"We have never operated a tsunami early detection tool because it must be carried out by the BMKG," he noted.
Furthermore, based on the results of BRIN's research, it was found that a very large budget would be required for the maintenance of the tsunami detector. This ran counter to BMKG's lookout for reliable, efficient, and affordable maintenance.
"If we have to replace the optical cable every 10 years, it requires some trillions. It is impossible," Handoko pointed out.
Hence, he explained that the problem of a tsunami early detection tool is not related to a change of budget scheme, but rather, to the substance and evaluation results of BRIN researchers.
In addition, there is no adequate evidence regarding the effectiveness of optical cable-based tsunami early detection devices, even in Japan and the United States, he stated.
"We did not stop it because we wanted to change the budget scheme, but it turned out that the device was unreliable, and especially from the telecommunication side, this is not good at least for Indonesia," he concluded.
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Translator: Astrid Faidlatul H, Resinta S
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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