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.
The EWDS had missed several deadlines before being fast-tracked recently.
“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,” said Bishnupada Sethi, Managing Director of the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA).
Reviews progress
Mr. Sethi, who is also State’s Special Relief Commissioner, reviewed the progress of the EWDS implementation with Additional District Magistrates, Block Development Officers of coastal districts and senior officials so that the State could commission it by March 2018.
“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,” he pointed out.
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.
The EWDS for last mile connectivity is being implemented under a World Bank project. The State Executive Committee meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi had resolved to complete the project by March 31, 2018.
OSDMA sources said that out of total 103 towers, 99 towers and 57 poles had been installed. All major equipment except digital mobile radio items had also been set up.
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.
