Sumbardaily.com, Pariaman – The Pariaman city administration, in collaboration with the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) of Padang Panjang, is preparing to install a High-Frequency (HF) Radar at Taman Anas Malik Beach in Lohong, Pariaman Tengah, Pariaman City, West Sumatra, Sunday (16/6/2025). The move aims to enhance tsunami preparedness and provide greater safety to coastal communities in a region prone to earthquakes and tsunamis.
The site survey was led directly by Pariaman Mayor Yota Balad, alongside Padang Panjang BMKG Station Head Suaidi Ahadi, and a delegation from related government agencies and sub-district officials.
The High-Frequency Radar utilizes high-frequency radio signals, ranging from 3 to 30 MHz, to observe ocean currents and surface waves in real time. The technology plays a crucial role in detecting the direction and speed of ocean currents across a wide area and is an essential tool in tsunami mitigation and preparedness.
"Today we inspected the location for the HF Radar at Taman Anas Malik Beach. This equipment is crucial for Pariaman, a city situated in a tsunami-prone area. The radar will help us respond faster to disasters and provide valuable data for the community’s safety, including for the fishing industry to find rich fishing grounds more efficiently," Yota Balad explained in a press release.
He further assured that there will be no relocation or eviction of businesses or vendors in the area. To facilitate the installation, the city has cleared a 30-meter area extending 300 meters on either side of the site — without displacing anyone. "We want to make sure there are no removals; this is purely for community safety and future preparedness against potential earthquakes and tsunamis".
Pariaman is one of only two locations in West Sumatra slated to install HF Radar, the other being in Padang. The Mayor called for community support to make the program a success, noting the city’s vulnerability due to its geographic location in the Siberut Megathrust Zone. "We hope the community will back this program. Pariaman is situated in a high-risk area. An early-warning system like this is crucial to help us respond quickly and minimize the impact of a tsunami".
BMKG Padang Panjang Head Suaidi Ahadi explained that the HF Radar can provide a warning within 30 seconds of a large earthquake — a vital amount of time to activate alarm signals and move people away from danger. "This tool is very effective in tsunami monitoring and can also be used to track the movement of fish, helping local fishermen maximize their income. Currently, there are only two such radars in West Sumatra — at Al-Hakim Mosque in Padang and now in Taman Anas Malik, Pariaman".
Furthermore, Suaidi explained that once the radar is installed, the data will be made available to the fishing community to aid their operations. The authorities plan to conduct a socialization program in February 2026, after the installation is complete, to help locals make the most of this technology.
The HF Radar slated for Pariaman is a donation from the French government and is manufactured in Germany. Installation is expected to be underway by August 2025, with full operational readiness by February 2026. Furthermore, technical support from the Taiwanese government will be provided in the form of additional Early Warning System (EWS) equipment. The Mayor’s office in Pariaman will be one of the locations to benefit from this technology, strengthening the city’s ability to respond promptly to future disasters.
"For the EWS, installation will commence this week, while the HF Radar will be put in place in August 2025. God willing, everything will be ready by February 2026," said Suaidi.
With the implementation of the HF Radar and EWS, Pariaman is strengthening its preparedness against earthquakes and tsunamis. The combination of local government, BMKG expertise, and international support from France and Taiwan underscores a unified effort to safeguard the community from future natural disasters in a region prone to such risks. (red)
