WANA (Jun 07) – An earthquake early warning system is set to be launched in Tehran, the capital of Iran, as part of an initiative to enhance public safety and strengthen crisis management. The project is being implemented through a collaboration between the Tehran Disaster Mitigation and Management Organization and the International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES).

 

During a joint meeting attended by officials from both institutions, a memorandum of cooperation was signed to facilitate the deployment of the system.

 

Ali Nasiri, head of the Tehran Disaster Mitigation and Management Organization, emphasized the significance of the initiative, stating, “This early warning system was initiated with support from the Japanese side and is now entering the final phases of implementation. Our goal is not merely to issue alerts, but to prioritize the safety and resilience of the Tehran metropolis.”

 

He also pointed to the operational complexities involved in such a project, noting, “Coordinating among various institutions can sometimes be even more challenging than technical hurdles. Nevertheless, we are committed to pursuing this path and hope it will serve as a model for other major cities across the country.”

 

Dr. Kambod Amini Hosseini, head of IIEES, stressed the importance of precision in the system’s implementation, warning, “Any false alarms could have serious and irreversible consequences. As the project’s scientific advisor, the Institute plays an active role in ensuring its accuracy.”

 

Esmaeil Salimi, deputy for prevention and risk reduction at Tehran’s crisis management agency, described the system as a strategic undertaking. “This project is divided into four phases, and despite changes in management, it has continued with strong momentum. We hope to see the system fully operational in the near future,” he said.

A general view shows destruction in the wake of an earthquake in Khoy county in West Azerbaijan, Iran, January 29, 2023. Soheil Faraji/ISNA/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

The earthquake early warning system is a technology-driven tool that can alert people and institutions just seconds before destructive seismic waves arrive. By detecting the initial (P) waves—which travel faster but are less damaging than the subsequent (S) waves—the system can issue timely warnings to trigger emergency protocols such as shutting off gas lines, halting elevators, suspending airport operations, and alerting hospitals.

 

Although such systems typically provide only a few seconds to several tens of seconds of advance notice (depending on distance from the epicenter), that brief window is enough to initiate critical measures—such as preventing fires by cutting gas, stopping heavy machinery, rerouting electricity, halting aircraft landings, activating emergency generators, and warning hospital operating rooms.

 

With growing urban and industrial density in earthquake-prone regions, the need for these systems has become increasingly urgent. Now, Tehran—one of the world’s most densely populated and seismically active capitals—is on the verge of gaining access to this vital technology.