THE REPUBLIC of China (Taiwan) has helped Solomon Islands improve its Meteorological service system

A team of experts from Central Weather Bureau, Taiwan, are currently in the country to install a real-time data transmission, early warning and rapid reporting system as part of the development.

Yesterday, Media team was able to take a closer look at the new transmission device, which was installed at the Meteorology Office.

Speaking to the media, Mr Yu-Ting Kuo – a Researcher of seismology in Solomon Islands said the project will enhance the research ability on tsunami, earthquake and tropical in Solomon Islands.

He told the media that the transmission device will provide valuable reference for developing capacity in early warning systems for weather-related disasters.

Mr Kuo said the device will boost Solomon Islands Met Service to provide effective assessment on weather pattern and also to improve disaster response

“This transmission will give out real-time observation network for tsunami, earthquake and cyclone.

“It will help the Meteorology Division to give out early warning then pass on correct information to the National Disaster Management Office to map out response plan,” he explained.

In a statement to this paper, Director of Meteorology, Mr David Hiba Hiriasia, said the team has installed two equipment.

He explained that the equipment installed includes an Automatic rain gauge to measure rainfall and a P-Alert equipment to measure earthquake waves.

Mr Hiriasia stressed that flooding and tsunamis are the most common and deadly disasters in the Solomon Islands, and having equipment that measure and provide real-time data to the Met Service is very important for early warning systems.

He said Solomon Islands Meteorological Service and other Government agencies will collaborate with Central Weather Bureau of Taiwan to work on a 3-year programme to establish an operational Tsunami, Earthquake and Cyclone Early Warning System (TEC).

Mr Hiriasia said the system should be demonstrated in 2017 in the Solomon Islands during the 4th Meeting of the Pacific Meteorological Council.