System ready to send early disaster warnings

The Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) has established a technology-driven Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS) for natural disasters like tsunamis and cyclones.

The EWDS, being set up with help of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) with the World Bank funds, will provide prior information regarding natural disasters in vulnerable coastal areas of the State.

“This SMS alerting system is the first of its king to be set up in the country. We aim to prevent loss of life, livelihoods and property,” said OSDMA MD Bishnupada Sethi.

The system would relay critical information to help citizens find shelter and safety before a natural disaster and thus save their lives, livestock and properties, he said.

One of the most exciting aspects of the new EWDS is its inclusion of location-based SMS alerts with traditional channels such as sirens, TVs and Radios.

Notably, the Super Cyclone in 1999 and Phailin in 2013 were very destructive in coastal religion of the State.

The EWDS would rely on meteorological and earthquake monitoring and seismic instrumentation systems to detect unusual atmospheric conditions and disturbances in ocean beds.

The tender was floated in November 2015 and Larsen and Toubro (L&T) was awarded the contract for the execution of this ambitious project.

The system is particularly ineffective in rural regions where feature phones are more widespread. SMS on the other hand, is received by all phones, from the basic feature phones like Nokia 1110 to the latest iPhone, ensuring that all people are alerted during disasters.

“The endeavor is to ensure dissemination of close to 100 per cent information. With location based alerting, it is possible to identify all people with cell phones in an affected area and to send SMS alerts to them in advance with great accuracy and success,” said Sethi.