A national tsunami drill scheduled for late October has been deferred to allow major responding agencies to complete preparation and conduct necessary awareness.

Initiated by Government to minimize disaster risks and the potential threats of tsunamis, the National Tsunami Drill will test warning systems, communication systems and evacuation plans for all coastal communities in Fiji.

Permanent secretary for Disaster Management, and Meteorological Services, Meleti Bainimarama says that although the drill has been deferred, all families, schools, and communities in tsunami hazard zones should ensure they have a tsunami evacuation plan and a designated safe zone.

Bainimarama says public preparedness for tsunami has been increasing and they want to keep building the momentum until the National tsunami drill.

He also says as part of the ongoing preparation, they have had two national civil military coordination exercises in recent months, a few table top exercises for key response agencies on tsunami events, a series of communication systems tests, and continuous tests of tsunami warning sirens.

Most recently, cabinet endorsed the Fiji tsunami response plan and it was launched earlier this month.

Bainimarama added the drill is a massive national undertaking and will now take place on a date to be decided by Cabinet.