*3.1.1.3. District disaster management authorities (DDMAs) of the coastal districts*

Once DDMAs established (notified) at District Commissioner Office receive an alert from PMD, a warning is issued to the vulnerable communities on the basis of vulnerability assess‐ ments. Mode of communication includes high‐intensity sirens at mosques and special sirens towers (very limited in numbers). If a power failure occurs, the siren is sounded by police, ambulances, and fire brigade vehicles. The DDMAs maintain communication with these agencies via wireless channels, telephone, fax, GSM in the districts depending upon the availability of the mode of communication. All DCO offices in Sindh also have the facility of video conference, but it again is dependent on the quality of the internet connection. In case of declared emergency the concerned DDMA/DCO office establishes "Emergency Room" on 24‐h operational basis to receive and pass on the required information locally and among provincial‐ and federal‐level stakeholders. Local electronic media can also be approached by these authorities for releasing public messages.

However, DDMAs lack appropriate means of reaching to the last mile in case of difficult access coastal area for example boats, helicopters, etc., considering less than half an hour time available before tsunami can attack after a local earthquake hits the area.
