Sumbardaily.com, Pariaman – The Pariaman City Government is strengthening its ability to respond to earthquakes and tsunamis by acquiring a sophisticated Earthquake Early Warning System (EEWS) from Taiwan. The donation underscores growing international cooperation in strengthening the city’s preparedness against disasters — particularly earthquakes and tsunamis — which frequently threaten coastal communities in West Sumatra.
The official handover of the EEWS was marked by a visit from a delegation of professors from Taiwan to the Mayor’s Official Residence in Pariaman on Monday (June 16, 2025). The delegation was led by Yih Min Wu, Ph.D., Professor of Geosciences at National Taiwan University; Wei Sen Li, Ph.D., Secretary General of the National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction; and Wen Ray Su, Ph.D., a researcher from the center’s Information Division. The meeting was also attended by Suaidi Ahadi, Head of BMKG’s Padang Panjang Station, representatives from Padang State University (UNP), and several officials from Pariaman’s city administration.
Pariaman Mayor Yota Balad, who was accompanied by his deputy, Mulyadi, directly received the donation and expressed his appreciation for Taiwan’s generosity. "We greatly appreciate the support from the Taiwan Government. Although we previously applied for two units, this single unit is already a proud accomplishment because Pariaman is the only area aside from Padang to receive it," said Mayor Yota Balad.
The mayor further explained that previously the city had received a High-Frequency (HF) Tsunami Radar from France, which is slated to be installed at Taman Anas Malik Beach in Lohong. Now, with the addition of the Taiwan-donated EEWS — to be placed at Pariaman’s City Hall — the ability to respond promptly to earthquakes and tsunamis is expected to be significantly enhanced.
The Earthquake Early Warning System (EEWS) is designed to quickly detect primary waves (P-waves) from earthquakes before the main shock reaches the Earth's surface. The technology provides a crucial window of seconds — a small but decisive amount of time — for people to move to safety or halt hazardous activities in order to avoid greater harm.
"Those few seconds are very crucial. We know Pariaman is located in a tsunami-prone area, and this early warning technology can save many lives when a large earthquake occurs". Mayor Yota stressed the importance of employing technology to aid in mitigation and preparedness.
He also expressed hope for ongoing collaboration between Pariaman and Taiwan in developing joint research initiatives and knowledge exchanges. "We wish this bond of friendship will continue. The professors’ visit is a bridge for future collaboration. We appreciate their presence and view this as a valuable opportunity to learn and grow together".
Meanwhile, BMKG’s Padang Panjang Chief Suaidi Ahadi explained that the donation is part of a broader network of 10 EEWS installations across West Sumatra. "Of these, 8 have been installed in Padang City, 1 at the Poltekpel Padang Pariaman, and now 1 here in Pariaman — a donation from Taiwan," Suaidi explained.
He further stressed the significance of this technology in strengthening preparedness and vigilance against earthquakes in a vulnerable region. "The EEWS is very important for improving awareness and readiness in areas prone to earthquakes. Furthermore, we have also received a HF Radar from France, which can provide real-time data on wave heights and ocean currents during a tsunami".
With the addition of this sophisticated equipment, the Pariaman city administration, alongside the community, is expected to be more resilient in the face of future disasters — reducing the potential damage and saving lives. (red)
