Disaster warning system for Odisha by March 

Disaster warning system for Odisha by March 

Context

The Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS), a project that aims at establishing a fool-proof communication system to disseminate disaster warning up to the community level, is expected to be commissioned by this March

It will alert a vast population along coast through loud sirens from towers installed at 122 locations

“The EWDS is a first of its kind automatic public address system in the country. It will help the State to warn a vast population residing along its coast from the State headquarters through loud sirens from towers installed at 122 locations in the event of occurrence of natural disasters like a tsunami or cyclone.

Reviews progress

Some of the technical features of the project include satellite-based mobile data voice terminals (SBMDVT), digital mobile radio (DMR), mass messaging system to be operated from the State emergency operation centre and universal communication interface to allow inter operability among different communication technologies

SMS alerts

The mass messaging system facilitates sending warning messages through SMS to all mobile phone subscribers in a particular locality or area likely to be affected by a threatening disaster.

World Bank

• The EWDS for last mile connectivity is being implemented under a World Bank project
• Now, the process has been set in motion to identify responsible persons from among community, gram panchayat offices, police stations and anganwadi centres and school teachers who will be in charge of the EWDS equipment.