• NAO notes Rs. 90 m spent since 2016 for upkeep of 77 tsunami towers
• 55 out of 77 tsunami towers inactive; only 22 operational, some dilapidated

Despite millions spent on maintenance, Sri Lanka’s tsunami warning system remains largely ineffective two decades after the devastating tsunami that claimed thousands of lives and caused massive property losses along the island’s coastal belt.

According to the National Audit Office (NAO), since 2016, the Government has paid Rs. 90 million to a private institute for the upkeep of 77 tsunami warning towers, with an additional Rs. 576,185 allocated for maintenance. Yet, the majority of these towers are either inactive or in a state of disrepair, raising serious concerns about the country’s preparedness for future disasters.

The country has failed to implement a reliable tsunami warning mechanism, even as threats of natural disasters continue to persist. The existing warning towers, which were designed to utilise satellite and Very High Frequency (VHF) technologies, are no longer operational, leaving vulnerable coastal communities without adequate protection.

According to the NAO, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) established 77 tsunami and cyclone early warning towers across 14 coastal districts. However, 55 of these towers are currently inactive, leaving only 22 operational. Reports have surfaced that some towers along the southern coastal belt are in a dilapidated state, prompting residents to request their removal or replacement with modern technologies.

Global success, local failure

According to the United Nations (UN), globally, approximately 700 million people are at risk from tsunamis. Early warning systems have proven effective in saving lives and reducing economic losses, offering nearly a tenfold return on investment.

As highlighted by the UN, only half of the world’s countries report having adequate multi-hazard early warning systems and this gap is particularly critical in developing regions, where climate-related disasters result in 15 times more deaths compared to wealthier areas.

Tsunami early warning systems depend on reliable data collection from ocean-based instruments such as buoys and tide gauges, and their effective transmission to warning centres. Satellite technology plays a crucial role in transmitting this data, ensuring swift communication between ocean sensors and emergency response teams. 

For instance, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) uses the Deep-ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunami (DART) system, which consists of seafloor pressure recorders and surface buoys. 

These recorders detect tsunami waves and send data via iridium satellites, which provide reliable, real-time communication through a network of low-Earth orbit satellites. Iridium’s satellite constellation offers quicker signal transmission and greater reliability compared to traditional geostationary satellites, making it particularly effective in disaster situations where terrestrial communications may fail. 

The data from the DART system is analysed by PTWC experts to issue tsunami warnings to relevant authorities and the public. This satellite-based system allows for two-way communication, enabling experts to troubleshoot and update equipment, ensuring continuous and reliable monitoring.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning System (PTWS), established in the mid-20th century, is a collaborative effort among 26 member states to monitor seismic and tidal activities in the Pacific Basin. This system uses earthquake data to issue tsunami warnings, which are disseminated to the public through various channels, including radio, television, and NOAA Weather Radio (NWR). 

Hawaii, often affected by distant tsunamis, has a comprehensive system involving monthly drills, tsunami hazard maps, and coordinated evacuation plans between local authorities, the PTWC, and other agencies. 

Japan, located near active subduction zones, boasts one of the most advanced tsunami warning systems, utilising rapid communication through seismic data, satellites, and local methods such as sirens, mobile announcers, and media broadcasts. The country’s strong cultural awareness also ensures swift evacuations.

As observed by The Sunday Morning, Sri Lanka faces significant challenges in tsunami preparedness despite being located in a region highly susceptible to tsunami risks, particularly in the Indian Ocean.

While efforts are underway to monitor seismic activities through international collaborations and agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the US, the country still lacks the advanced, integrated early warning systems that countries like Japan and states like Hawaii have in place. Sri Lanka’s response capabilities are still in the developmental stage, with limited public awareness campaigns and insufficient training for local authorities.

Unlike Japan, where well-established evacuation drills and siren systems are in place, Sri Lanka’s tsunami awareness and preparedness at the community level remain underdeveloped. The integration of advanced technologies, such as satellite communication and seismic monitoring systems, is still ongoing, resulting in gaps in timely warnings and effective evacuation procedures.

Wasted millions

In such a backdrop, a recent report by the NAO describes the performance of institutions responsible for managing losses and damages caused by natural disasters in Sri Lanka.

The report reveals that the then Ministry of Disaster Management, on behalf of the DMC, had entered into a five-year agreement on 16 December 2016, worth Rs. 135 million (inclusive of VAT), with a private institute for the rehabilitation and maintenance of all 77 tsunami warning towers.

It was also revealed that despite payments amounting to Rs. 90 million since 2016 and an additional Rs. 576,185 spent on maintenance, the programme’s effectiveness remained questionable, as its objectives had yet to be achieved.

The NAO observes that the DMC had shifted its focus towards alternative solutions rather than relying on the early warning towers.

Furthermore, the NAO report highlights significant savings across various institutions in the disaster management sector, pointing to potential inefficiencies in budgeting and resource allocation.

For instance, the disaster management sector had saved Rs. 1.5 million in 2020 and Rs. 9 million in 2021, which accounted for 54% and 64% of the allocated funds, respectively. Similarly, the Disaster Relief Centre had saved Rs. 1,748 million in 2019, Rs. 202 million in 2020, and Rs. 524 million in 2021, representing 44%, 16%, and 32% of its capital provisions, respectively. 

The DMC had saved Rs. 68.77 million in 2019, Rs. 4.25 million in 2020, and Rs. 193.4 million in 2021, amounting to 34%, 6%, and 55% of the allocated funds, respectively. The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) had saved Rs. 992.5 million in 2019, Rs. 200.5 million in 2020, and Rs. 1,266 million in 2021, accounting for 62%, 23%, and 53%, respectively, of its capital provisions. 

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department had saved Rs. 186 million in 2019, Rs. 10 million in 2020, and Rs. 42 million in 2021, representing 85%, 25%, and 81% of its allocations, respectively.

As observed by the NAO, these savings, which constitute a significant portion of the allocated budgets, suggest that these institutions may not be effectively estimating or utilising the resources allocated for disaster management and relief.

Disaster readiness questioned

Nevertheless, as confirmed by the DMC, parts of only two towers in the south have been removed by the DMC as they had posed a threat to two schools, while the remaining towers are being managed on a timely basis and there have been no complaints.

Addressing these concerns, DMC Director General (DG) Maj. Gen. (Retd) Udaya Herath confirmed that the centre was actively assessing the status of the towers while planning to enhance Sri Lanka’s multi-hazard early warning system.

“We are continuously monitoring the towers’ condition. Following DMC instructions, district coordinators have identified dilapidated towers and removed hazardous parts. We plan to replace these with new components. 

“At present, the towers are inactive and the satellite they were connected to is no longer in orbit. Our aim is to introduce a new multi-hazard early warning system covering not only the coastal belt but the entire country. Initial data collection is already underway with the Department of Irrigation also involved in the project,” Maj. Gen. Herath told The Sunday Morning.

When asked whether the tsunami towers would be removed or converted, the DG clarified that the existing towers would be repurposed as multi-hazard early warning towers under the new system.

He also noted that despite the inactivity of the towers, the DMC had established alternative methods for issuing tsunami warnings.

“We conduct tsunami drills and have appointed clusters and leaders for each district. Volunteer groups are being mobilised to assist during disasters and we are conducting awareness programmes as part of our preparedness efforts,” he added.

In response to the NAO report revelations, the Director General of the DMC emphasised that an inquiry had been conducted regarding the maintenance costs.

“We are not spending money on maintenance. Instead, we are reimplementing a new system in collaboration with the World Bank for a multi-hazard tower system as part of an advanced early warning system,” he stated.