The West Sumatra earthquakes: not learning our lessons?

RSIS Commentary No. 066, March 2016:

This paper looks at how effective Indonesia’s tsunami warning systems today are, identifies gaps and highlights positive aspects. A big earthquake hit the ocean floor off Southwestern Sumatra, Indonesia on 2 March 2016. Tsunami warnings were issued by the government to the whole Sumatran regions.

According to the paper, some of the important of gaps in the warning systems include: buoys not working, failure of sirens to transmit any warning in West Sumatra and West Aceh, and lack of maintenance culture. The paper also notes that tsunami preparedness is better at the local community level.