| The giant loss caused by the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 26 December 2004(IOT2004)is basically due to lack of proper awareness and preparedness for tsunami disasters from national government level to local level. Within five years after the IOT 2004,Indian Ocean countries have been developing and enhancing their national as well as regional disaster management system.However,the developed system will be useless if people do not aware about the disaster itself and perform incorrect responeses if of an emergency.Since a massive tsunami occurs infrequently,for example once in 100 years,it is difficult but necessary to come up with ways to sustain public awareness towards tsunami disaster mitigation.In this regard,continual education and reminder to the communities about the danger of tsunami are very much significant to develop and maintain continuous awareness and preparedness. This report intends to highlight the potential implementation of Tsunami Hazard Map(THM)as one of the most effective ways of raising awareness on tsunami disaster risk reduction in developing countries.Its main contents include the role of THM in achieving targets of key-issues of tsunami disaster risk reduction,driving factors for the urgency of THM development,practical uses of THM and indication on several ineffective practices in utilization of THM.A brief summary of the Japan Tsunami and Strom Surge Hazard Map Manual and the important notes on its adoption for developing countries is also given as an useful reference. |
