**6. Conclusion**

The best use of this system in present situation is its use as enhancement purposes—in combination with any other individual addressable notification system. The merits and

Very strategic notification. May require a large amount of logistics support (cars, boats, accurate

The communities' data analysis shows that Sirki Village and Sonth Village lie at a faraway distance from the nearest post, with severe terrain and line of sight issues. Hence, information cannot be directly disseminated to these villages through PCGs posts without addition of few repeater stations. Since repeater stations have a considerable cost, it is not feasible to use this method as a solution. In context with present situation, there exist two possible systems in this

Because of its good coverage to the area, mass notification system linked with satellite activation such as NMARSAT system at Gwadar and Pasni instantaneously passes informa‐ tion. The system has (a) high degree of credibility, (b) very effective in terms of time line of an emergency, (c) have average component cost compared to other wireless mass notification

This type of solution includes satellite phones such as Thuraya. The main disadvantages of such system in present scenario are as follows: (a) continuous operational coast, (b) ownership

Each of above‐mentioned systems has advantages and limitations in its applications to a particular community. If a system has better response and is more reliable at one side (like Wireless operated Mass Notification Systems), then its high cost limits its application.

issues, and (c) satellite phones are generally intended for outdoor usage.

maps and route information, etc.).

Requires recruiting and training large numbers of personnel.

demerits of this system are detailed below:

Provides all necessary information and

instructions.

158 Tsunami

regard.

**Advantages Disadvantages**

High degree of credibility. Very time‐consuming and slow.

Can reach at a specific location. Unable to reach a very wide area quickly.

*5.5.2. Communities where information dissemination is not possible through PCG posts*

Cost‐effective if using trained volunteers. Expensive if using paid personnel.

*5.5.2.1. Mass notification systems linked with satellite activation*

systems, (d) running operational coast to satellite link.

*5.5.2.2. Addressable notification systems—satellite phones*

Tsunami generated from a near source has proven its fatality equally for developing and developed nations through 2004 Indian Ocean and March 2011 events in Indonesia and Japan, respectively. The real challenge of relaying the early warning to the vulnerable communities has been the most crucial element, being race against time, allowing mostly less than half an hour reaction period. Every single minute has its significance to be utilized optimistically and well planned.

In case of tsunami generated from Makran Subduction Zone, the PMD, one and the only organization in Pakistan, authorized to issue warnings, uses reliable data obtained from national and global seismographic network to monitor seismic activity that might become the cause of a tsunami. For relaying the warnings, multiple channels of communication are used by PMD including automated GPRS based SMS, mobile phone based SMS, automated fax, manual fax, satellite telephone communication, website updating or email. However, the ground situation at receiving end is quite unable to access such vital information timely through any of the available means of communication which is evident through case studies of 10 coastal communities presented in Sections 3.3 and 4 previously.

The communities studied lies at far distances from respective Tehsil and district headquarters that are the last administrative units of the government to receive any communication with regard to coastal hazard early warnings. **Table 1** shows minimum distance of 5 km to a maximum of 300 km making it extremely difficult for minimum and impossible for average and maximum distant communities to send an "official messenger" for personal notification especially for near filed tsunami threat.

Pakistan Coast Guard posts are established at comparatively closer for example; on average at 16 km apart, in comparison to 35.25 and 822 km average distance of Tehsil and district Headquarters. These posts are also equipped with the fastest means of communication like HF/VHF networks, but presently the communication is restricted to security use only. For bringing this network to disaster, emergency use such as EW, some principal agreements, protocol and SoPs among concerned organizations are to be established.

For other means of communication like phone, TV, and fax and GSM networks, referring to **Table 2**, electricity and landlines are not available in any of the villages studied. However, limited and partial GSM (Global System of Mobile communication) networks are available at some particular locations, which are not yet strong enough to be a reliable mean of EW dissemination. Radio broadcast is mostly available; however, there are two issues yet to be tackled, usually batteries are used as energy source, which are hardly locally available, second is the line of communication between PMD and radio channels is to be streamlined and established.

Population of the communities studied varies from 50 individuals to 8000 concentrated into on average, less than 2 km of area. Four out of ten settlements (located in the creeks) are only accessible through boats; three have population of less than 1000 individuals, whereas only one has maximum population of 2800. In recent past, the only mode of communication used to convey cyclone early warning to those communities was personal notification, that is, sending local emergency responders; mostly Armed Forces and Security Agency officials on boats and vehicles to inform and support for evacuation to the vulnerable communities. It took hours and in some cases days in comparison to extremely quick actions and reactions required for a local tsunami that might happen like 1945 event.

Therefore, PMD's SoPs alone are not enough to get prepare for a potential threat of local tsunami impacts in Pakistan. The urgent need of developing a well‐coordinated time‐based SoPs for all stakeholders involved in tsunami warning and evacuation chain is extremely important along with enhancing capacities for technological solutions to quickly rely infor‐ mation to the last mile. This would not be the last but the first step toward mitigation and preparedness as there are still many administrative issues to deal with and to tackle the situation, for example, effective land use managements, expanding data base and information related to the prevailing hazards and vulnerabilities regarding communities and areas under threat of future tsunami. Optimum utilization of available high tech communication networks with armed forces and security agencies, that is, to bring those in the chain of early warning dissemination can reduce burden on limited resources of the nation. Above all, the need of preparing communities to observe natural warning and train them for self‐evacuation and emergency response is the most urgent and important line of action at the moment.
