Kerala Launches Advanced Disaster Risk Warning System ‘KaWaChaM’

KaWaChaM is developed by the Kerala State Disaster Managemenrt Authority (KSDMA) with the support from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the World Bank. The system aims to strengthen disaster preparedness and response mechanisms and also provide alerts on extreme weather events.

Speaking at the event, Chief Minister said KaWaChaM is India’s first comprehensive disaster warning system. As part of the system, 91 sirens installed at various locations across the state have been activated, with plans of implemetation in 126 locations.

The system features emergency operation centres, surveillance cameras and controls rooms operation 24/7. Each siren has three lights - Red, yellow and Orange - and it has eight loudspeakers which broadcasts alerts up to a distance of 1.2 km. The systems are installed on top of the government buildings and schools in disaster-prone areas.

The Chief Minister acknowledged that science still has a long way to go to achieve 100 percent accuracy in weather warnings, especially in a state like Kerala with its complicated landscape and weather conditions. Nevertheless, he emphasised that people should not ignore the warnings that are being issued.

Minister fo Revenue K Rajan, Minister for Agriculture P Prasad, MLA VK Prasanth, Principle Secretary Disaster Management Tinku Biswal attended the event.