Bermuda will take part in an international tsunami response exercise in the aftermath of the recent disaster in Japan.The exercise, scheduled to take place today will simulate a massive earthquake off the coast of Puerto Rico in order to test the response from agencies throughout the Caribbean and Bermuda.The drill, titled Caribe Wave 11/ Lantex 11, is the first of its kind in the Caribbean region, with the Bermuda Weather Service, Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre, the Bermuda Police Service and the Department of Airport Operations working with agencies in the US and the Caribbean.Director of the Bermuda Weather Service Dr Mark Guishard said: “This important exercise will test the current procedures of the Tsunami Warning System and help identify operational strengths and weaknesses in each community.“The 2011 Japan earthquake and Pacific-wide tsunami have reminded the world again of the urgent need to be more prepared for such events.”On March 11, northern Japan was struck by a 9.0 earthquake, one of the most powerful earthquakes in recorded history, followed by a devastating tsunami that washed away entire communities, leaving than 9,000 people have been confirmed dead and another 12,500 reported missing.The events also caused major problems at one of the country’s nuclear power plants, leading to near-meltdown situations in several reactors and thousands of residents being evacuated from their homes.In total, almost half a million people were forced to move into emergency shelter because of the series of catastrophes.lUseful websites: www.weather.bm, www.bps.bm, www.bermudaairport.aero.