Kochi: When the floods hit the state, along with scores of unsung heroes, over 250 Ham Radio operators too assisted the State Disaster Management Authority in rescue and relief.
Their focus was in districts like Thrissur, Wayanad, Idukki, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha, worst hit by either floods or landslides. When other communication systems failed, the hams set up their stations in field and in SDMA district control rooms. They let messages pass back and forth from affected areas and armed forces, fire force, fishermen and the administration engaged in rescue and relief.
“Ham Radios come handy when other terrestrial controlled devices fail in communication when devices like mobile towers and telephone posts topple in calamities. Ham Radio does not need electricity and Ham Radio users can make instant antennas suitable for particular terrains,” said Sreemurugan Anthikkad, a Ham Radio operator since 1992.
“In Thrissur alone, 37 Hams plunged into relief and rescue communication co-ordination since the morning of August 16. The services of Hams were more useful in worst affected Chalakkudy and remote areas like Kundoor and Kuzhoor,” said Mr Sreemurugan.
“Ham radio stations were established in no time at Kodungallur, Chalakkudy, Mukundapuram, Thalappally, Chavakkad apart from the district headquarters itself for communication. Relay stations were also established at Anthikkad and Puthenchira for communication to places outside the district. A significant feat was in helping anti-venom reach snake bitten people in Kodungallur amid floods,” said Sreemurugan. He said a team of 16 Ham radio operators established a repeater station at Calvery Mount in Idukki where landslides occurred.
Commenting on the service rendered by the Ham operators, Irinjalakkuda RDO Dr M.P. Rejil under whose jurisdiction the worst-hit Chalakkudy fell, said that the evacuation in Kuzhoor and Kundoor was in fact made possible by Ham radio operators when police wireless too failed. “They were of immense use. In fact after the service rendered by them, we are now thinking of setting up a Ham facility at the taluk level for use in need of emergencies,” said Dr Rejil.
