A tsunami warning issued by officials fell on deaf years on January 13. The Center for Tsunami Watch, despite being plagued by outdated equipment and technologies, felt that a serious threat existed and decided to issue the warning on public radio to begin immediate evacuation of the area after an earthquake was detected in the Pacific ocean. However, much to officials’ consternation rather than evacuating, people flocked to the shores, in many cases with entire families and cameras on hand to witness the giant wave. When the wave did not come, some people called the service to complain:
“What’s this? You promised a tsunami! We drove the entire family to the shore to see the tsunami, and there is nothing here. It’s not right to deceive the public!” Viktor Shushlin, the head of Kamchatka’s regional Emergency Services Center (M.Ch.S.) for monitoring and prognosis of extreme meterological conditions recounted a typical conversation to the reporter.
Though many were disappointed, fortunately, the tsunami never came. As a result of the public’s blatant disregard for the warning, M.Ch.S., Russian Emergency Services plans to hold tsunami drills in Kamchatka, Sahalin and the Kuril Islands.
Much of the far east area of Russia, including Kamandor and Kuril Islands is in a zone of heightened tsunami risk. In 1962, a tsunami completely destroyed the village of North Kuril’sk, and in 1960 a wave which originated near the shores of Chile shot across the ocean and hit Kamchatka destroying much of the village of Shubanovo.
By the end of this news story, nothing was said about replacing or upgrading the center’s equipment which is more than half a century old. When interviewed, the center’s employees admitted on camera that it is not unlikely that by the time they detect a tsunami wave and issue a warning, evacuation efforts maybe too late. If the government is looking for what to do with its surplus income from selling gas and oil, this would seem to be a good place to invest.
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