Better weather alert system due next year

Cell broadcast company is quickly and effectively accomplish all mobile devices in a specific location.

Officials and volunteers prepare sandbags as the water level in the Nan River in Phichit province rose by 82cm on Tuesday, near the critical level. (Photo: Sitthipoj Kebui)
As the waters levels in the Nan River in Phichit county increased by 82 cm on Tuesday, nearing the important level, leaders and participants prepare sandbags. ( Photo: Sitthipoj Kebui )

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society expects to launch the cell broadcast service ( CBS ), which allows emergency weather warnings to be sent to all mobile devices connected to target area, in the second quarter of next year.

Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong stated on Tuesday that the complete alert system will be tested in the first third before it launches.

Prior to sending out warnings to people during the test period, the CBS may compile and analyze data during the evaluation period.

Emergency warnings can be sent to all products connected to mobile networks within a particular location thanks to battery spread technologies. The program does not involve phone amounts to send messages, unlike SMS. Mobile users do not need to get an application.

After devastating floods in the middle North, especially in Chiang Rai, where the effectiveness of its emergency caution system has been questioned, the ministry was jolted into action.

According to Mr. Prasert, distributing crisis information calls for the ad hoc participation of linked organizations. For instance, the Thai Meteorological Department and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment are responsible for climate change emails.

The providers of mobile phone networks are asked to expand the streams where emails can be sent to users. In serious situations, messages may flash on person’s phones.

However, the Public Relations Department did run essential broadcast on both radio and television.

According to Mr. Prasert, the government has prepared updates to be issued as a fresh wind has been predicted and may be approaching Thailand.

Emergency data is relayed to the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation using the present system, which was employed during the new floods in Chiang Rai’s Wiang Pa Pao region. The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission then distributes it to cellular network operators.

Departure notices are sent to local residents based on the level of the emergency, which is rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most significant.