TAWAU: The Malaysia Meteorology Department (Met Malaysia) has installed an Automated Weather Station (AWS) at the Lahad Datu Airport as the department’s latest location for its AWS operation.
The acquisition and installation of the AWS, which cost more than RM50,000, will ensure the safety and smoothness of flight operation at the airport as well as to meet the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standard for commercial airports.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin, who launched the 1-300-22-1MET hotline as part of Lahad Datu’s AWS and public awareness programme on earthquake, tsunami and extreme weather, said Met Malaysia’s cooperation with his ministry has enabled members of the public to make phone calls whenever and wherever they are using only one number.
“Information will be provided through the hotline, which covers forecast and weather condition, earthquake and tsunami,” he said after a launching ceremony at the Tawau Library yesterday.
Ewon said incoming calls will be answered immediately by officers of the closest Met Malaysia office to the caller.
For example, he said, a call from Sabah will be answered by the Sabah Met Malaysia office while calls from Sarawak will be answered by the Sarawak Met Malaysia office.
On the awareness programme for the public, Ewon said it is important for the public to know what action to take in the event of a disaster.
Met Malaysia had provided sirens to alert the public on incoming disasters, such as a tsunami, he added.
Meanwhile, Met Malaysia director-general Datuk Che Gayah Ismail said the number of sirens will be increased in the country, including in Sabah and Sarawak, and the siren alert will be able to cover about three kilometres at night time.
When speaking on the weather forecast, she said the forecast will have a 50-kilometre radius according to standard operation procedure for the department to provide for search and rescue operations.