Project on Communication Facilities for Disaster Management
Project on Communication Facilities for Disaster Management
Ham Radio
Ham Radio is also known as Amateur radio. It is a community of people that use radio transmitters and receivers to communicate with other Amateur radio operators. If you were to ask a dozen different amateurs what ham radio meant to them, chances are you would get 12 different answers. Amateur radio operators are often called ham radio operators or simply “hams” and frequently the public is more familiar with this term than with the legal term Radio Amateur. The source of this nickname is for all practical purposes lost from the beginning.
Communication is a major bottleneck in case of any major disaster, particularly when the traditional network system already in force breaks down. In order to strengthen communications, it has been decided that police network (POLNET) will also be used for disaster management. For this purpose POLNET communication facility will be extended to District Magistrates, Sub Divisional Magistrates as well as the Control Rooms.
For emergency communication, mobile satellite based units which can be transported to the site of the disaster are being procured. A group was constituted to draw a comprehensive communication plan for disaster management and the report has since been received. This provides for a dedicated communication system for disaster management with built in redundancies.
Besides the satellite, communication and education can play a proactive role in mitigation through awareness about the types of disaster and as to how prevention measures can be taken up.
There is also a satellite based communication system called the Cyclone Warning Dissemination System (CWDS) for transmission of warnings. There are 250 such cyclone-warning sets installed in the cyclone prone areas of east and west coast. The general public, the coastal residents and fishermen, are also warned through the Government machinery and broadcast of warnings through AIR and Television.
What Agencies Need to Be Involved?
- Police
- Fire
- Ambulance
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Doctors
- Red Cross
- Blood Banks
- Marine operations (are there bodies of water?)
- Coast guard
- Department of transportation
- Departments of environment (if there is clean-up involved)
- Airlines
- Rail companies
- Local transit companies
- Bus companies (in case of evacuation)
- Border services - if applicable
The use of satellite, computers, electronics, and better communication facilities are going to make a significant difference in disaster management. Data processing and computers are providing a useful tool in decision making in disaster.
When the disaster strikes, power goes out, all modes of communication (telephone etc.) become inoperable, lifts stop functioning, drinking water becomes contaminated, normal modes of transportation suddenly become impossible, and casualties start coming in groups - that is not the time for planning but that is the time for acting.
Some of the Major Disaster Events in India
| Year | Place of Disaster in India | Casualties Reported |
|---|---|---|
| 1737 | Earthquake, Calcutta, India | 3,00,000 |
| 1961 | Floods, India | 1,000 |
| 1977 | Cyclone, Andhra Pradesh, India | 10,000 |
| 1979 | Flash Flood, Gujarat, India | 2,500 |
| 1984 | Chemical Disaster, Bhopal, India | 2,500 |
| 1988 | Train Accident, Quilon, India (Injured) | 300 (500) |
| 1988 | Air Crash, Ahmedabad, India | 135 |
| 1993 | 13 Bomb Blasts in Mumbai, India | 250 |
| 1998 | Train Accident, Khanna, Pusa, India | 211 |
| 2001 | Earthquake, Bhuj, Gujarat, India | 10,000 |
| 2002 | Terrorist Attack, Kaluchak, Jammu | 23 |
| 2003 | Frontier Mail Fire, Ludhiana, Punjab, India | 36 (14) |
| 2003 | 2 Bomb Blasts in Mumbai, India | 45 |
| 2003 | Cloud Burst, Himachal Pradesh, India | 41 |
| 2003 | Stampede at Kumbh, Nasik, India | 35 (75) |
| 2003 | Terrorist Attack on Railway Station, Jammu | 20 |
| 2004 | Terrorist Attack on Railway Station, Jammu | 08 |
Communication facilities for disaster management are most important as they convey information at the right time during a disaster, helping to handle and decrease its impact.
Two Types of Information Needs in Disaster Management
- Pre-disaster information: The question arises as to how to get pre-disaster information. It is obtained from the research and analysis department of geography in the country.
- Post-disaster information: After the disaster, the first job is to find out where and when it occurred and what the next steps are to help people.
Nowadays satellite communication plays a major role in disaster management communication. Communication facilities can be set up for rescue and relief operation purposes. Such early warning systems are developed at different areas independently.
Disaster Communication Facilities
- DCWDS - Digital Cyclone Warning Dissemination System, set at Delhi and other coastal areas. It is used for pre-disaster information.
- The WLL-VSAT system provides handsets which can be easily taken inside affected areas and sends information by direct audio communication.
- The MSS Type C reporting terminal is developed for sending short messages directly through satellite in remote areas.
- AES-SNG is a system which can send video pictures of the affected area for online review from the control center.
- Tele-medicine: One more step for disaster management communication. In this system, online help can be provided from hospitals and super specialty doctors. Simply connect an uplink to a laptop or PC and get online information about treatment.
Set up of a communications centre requires consideration of who needs access and how it would operate (generators, supplies in case people need to stay more than 12 hours, etc.).