SINGAPORE, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Singapore announced the completion of the first phase of its Tsunami Early Warning System on Thursday when celebrating this year's World Meteorological Day.

    According to a press release issued by the National Environment Agency (NEA), Phase One of the system "provides Singapore with the capability to exchange real-time earthquake data with seismic networks operated by countries in the region."

    It is important for an effective tsunami early warning system to have a comprehensive seismic monitoring network to detect the location and scale of earthquakes which are believed to cause tsunamis, the NEA explained.

    The second phase of the project will see the installation of three new seismic sensors in the city state in addition to the present four, as well as the upgrade of aging components of the current seismic network.

    The third and final phase will involve the assessment of risks and impact of any possible tsunamis on Singapore, according to thepress release.

    Developed by the Meteorological Services Division of the NEA, the system worth 3 million Singapore dollars (about 1.9 million U.S. dollars) is expected to be completed by the end of 2007.

    The system will not only become part of the regional Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System led by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), but also be part ofthe country's Multi Hazard Warning System, which also monitors other natural disasters. Enditem