They need immediate evacuation in the event of tsunami.Pariaman, West Sumatra (ANTARA News) - The National Disaster Control Agency (BNPB) said at least 900,000 people in West Sumatra live in areas within tsunami dangerous zone.
The people live in seven regencies and a number of cities along the coastal areas in the regencies of Pesisir Selatan, Padangpariaman, Agam, Pasaman Barat and Mentawai islands and the cities of Padang and Pariaman.
They need immediate evacuation in the event of tsunami, BNPB chief Syamsul Maarif said here on Friday.
Syamsul said shelters would be needed in every radius of 500 meters on ground 10-12 meters high.
In the event of earthquake potential to trigger tsunami, the people would have only 30 minutes to run to a safe area in higher ground, he said.
Tsunami waves have a speed of 400 kilometers per hour and the safest way is to run to the shelters, he said.
Currently the BNPB is studying plan to build shelters in West Sumatra.
The agency hopes to start building shelters in a number of locations in West Sumatra in January next year.
The construction is to be carried out by phases in five years, Syamsul said.
He asked heads of district areas within the tsunami dangerous zone to submit proposals on the plan with details about the number of shelters needed in each district.
(Uu.AS/H-ASG/H-YH)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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