Garut says it needs tsunami warning equipment

The central government needs to protect Garut regency from a real tsunami threat and provide early-detection instruments, local officials say.

Garut’s beaches were hit by a tsunami in July 2006.

“The threat from tsunamis is fairly high,” Garut regional secretary Hilman Faridz told tempointeraktif.com.

Hilman said tsunamis could result from underwater earthquakes caused by the intersection of the two continental plates south of Garut.

He said Garut’s beaches were frequently pummeled by waves as high as 2 meters from the Indian Ocean.

Garut Legislative Council Commission D chairman Helmi Budiman said that the local government should coordinate with the National Disaster Management Agency to obtain the instrument.

“Do not wait until we lose more lives,” Budiman said.