On Thailand's tsunami-ravaged Phuket island, 47 nations and agencies approved a plan Saturday to set up a warning network for southern Asia with several separate regional centers after failing to resolve differences over where to base a central hub.
Experts say even a few minutes' warning could have saved many of the more than 145,000 lives lost across 11 countries in the Dec. 26 tsunami.
Delegates had originally planned to set up a centralized tsunami warning system, but failed to resolve differences over where to base a hub that would collect seismic and oceanographic data, analyze it and issue alerts to coastal areas in danger.
Thailand pushed hard for its Bangkok-based Asian Disaster Preparedness Center, which currently deals chiefly with cyclones and floods, but faced opposition from India and Indonesia.
Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said work on a warning system should begin immediately.
"Without any delay our people must be reassured that their shorelines are safe for their livelihood and safe for visitors," he told the meeting.
Delegates said an effective regional system depends on strong national disaster prevention networks -- many of which are in disrepair or outdated. For example, one of Sri Lanka's two earthquake monitoring stations, is hobbled by software troubles.
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