CHENNAI: The government of Tamil Nadu is working on satellite based applications and short wave radio system for better disaster management during cyclones, said Rajendra Ratnoo, IAS, commissioner of disaster management at the National Science Day event organised by the Indian meteorological society, Chennai chapter and regional meteorological centre on Wednesday.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) are currently working on an application to aid deep-sea communication. Once that proves successful, it would be implemented here.
Regarding the short wave radio, meteorological department is holding talks to start a dedicated channel for disaster management.
Talking about cyclone Ockhi that devastated Kanyakumari and its neighbouring districts, he said the cyclone crossed 70 km southwest of Kanyakumari on November 30, last year and the Met department got information about the depression the previous day at 12 noon. Usually, there are nearly 70 hours for disaster management and three circulars are sent during the course.
However, he claimed that in that little time they had, IMD instructed district collectors of southern TN through Whatsapp for taking all precautionary actions, including advisory to fishermen not to venture into the sea, the emergency operation centre at the collectorate, Kanniyakumari, Nagercoil, Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli was strengthened with special staffs round the clock, commissioner (disaster management) had also informed the director of fisheries over phone and the people were cautioned about the bad weather and advised to stay in door through local radio and media.
As the loss was still massive, plans are in the pipeline to start a registry for fishermen, install GPS and other emergency communication systems and installation of life saving gadgets for fishermen vessels.
The officials said a compensation of '10 lakh (first installment) is currently being given to fishermen and the second instalment would be given after six months.
