Almost one year after the tragic tsunami in the Indian Ocean, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said Friday that a telecommunications network to provide a tsunami early warning system is on track to be completed by the middle of 2006.

However, Michel Jarraud, secretary-general of the United Nations agency, added that the completion of the Global Telecommunication System (GTS) would hinge on securing financial commitments of some 1.8 million US dollars.

The system would be able to provide for an adequate information exchange network between the proposed Regional Tsunami Watch Providers and national tsunami centers in countries hit by last year's tsunami, the agency said in a statement.

Cooperating with the UN's Intergovernmental Oceanic Commission (IOC) and the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction ( ISDR), WMO identified GTS needs and carried out assessment missions in 13 Indian Ocean countries.

These missions have already prompted the upgrade of WMO's GTS in several nations which, when completed, will permit National Meteorological and Hydrological Services to receive accurate bulletins and alerts within two minutes, said the statement.

GTS upgrades will enhance national capacities and allow governments to respond more rapidly and effectively in the event of all natural hazards related to weather, climate and water, not just tsunamis, it added.

Source: Xinhua