CWA tests earthquake alert on National Disaster Prevention Day

Taipei, Sept. 21 (CNA) Taiwan's Central Weather Administration (CWA) issued a test alert at 9:21 a.m. Monday, simulating an early warning of an earthquake, as part of National Disaster Prevention Day drills.

The test warning, sent to mobile devices nationwide, instructed people across Taiwan to "drop, cover and hold on" for one minute to practice proper earthquake safety procedures.

The message was sent exactly at 9:21 a.m. to commemorate the Sept. 21 earthquake that devastated Taiwan in 1999, according to the Ministry of the Interior (MOI).

The MOI said Sunday that the CWA would conduct two early warning tests on Monday -- an earthquake alert at 9:21 a.m., followed by a tsunami alert at 9:30 a.m., as part of the National Disaster Prevention Day exercises.

The simulated tsunami warning message was sent to townships and urban districts in Taiwan's coastal areas, advising them to remain calm, according to the CWA.

At 10 a.m., a "Tsunami Warning Cancellation" test message was sent to the same areas, completing the drill of issuing and then canceling a tsunami warning, it said.

According to the MOI, the National Disaster Prevention Day exercises are aimed at enhancing public preparedness for national emergencies and testing Taiwan's disaster response capabilities.