Bengaluru, the city that offers backend services to many technology firms across the world, is playing a similar role for relief and rescue operations in Chennai. A virtual communications control room co-ordinating rescue operations was started by a group of 15 officers attached to central services. They are from Tamil Nadu and are posted in various State cadres across the country.
The initiative is being led by P. Manivannan, IAS officer from Karnataka and Alex Paul Menon, IAS officer with Chhattisgarh cadre.
The Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Board (KUWSSB) control room in the city with 12 helplines has doubled up as a communication control room for Chennai. An official manning the control room said that they had received more than 2,000 calls since Wednesday night.
The communication network in Chennai has collapsed as mobile networks and landlines are disrupted, leading to a situation where rescuers and the stranded persons are unable to communicate with each other.
Alex Paul Menon, Deputy Commissioner, Balrampur, Chhattisgarh told The Hindu that there are many officers from Chennai who know the topography and issues involved. “Through social media and the virtual control room in Bengaluru, we are attempting to bridge the gap in the communication network,” he said.
Social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook, apart from WhatsApp, have emerged as the go-to platforms for co-ordination. The virtual control room in Bengaluru is compiling all posts on various social media platforms seeking help in real time and co-ordinating with rescuers on the ground, directing them towards people who need help. Those calling the control room seeking help are also given out information about on-ground volunteers.
P. Manivannan said that the government communication network had collapsed in Chennai and they are working through private volunteers and the army teams deployed for rescue operations.
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