Govt to make airports better prepared for tsunami

Japan's transport ministry has drawn up guidelines to protect the country's airports from tsunami.

More than 1,400 people were stranded at the airport in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, for 3 days after the March tsunami struck.

The guidelines advise airports to work out an evacuation plan and guide passengers to terminal or other buildings in the event of a tsunami.

The guidelines also call for airport operators to stockpile food and blankets in safe places to prepare for the possibility of the airport being isolated following a tsunami.

The guidelines also advise airport authorities to guide passenger aircraft to head for terminals when the aircraft are waiting to take off or after they land. But the guidelines say pilots can go ahead with a takeoff, depending on the situation.

Airports would serve as posts of rescue activities and transport of emergency relief goods. Airport authorities are also advised to resume operations for emergency aircraft within 3 days of a disaster by making plans in advance to clear away wreckage and restore electricity.

Sunday, October 23, 2011 10:51 +0900 (JST)