Agartala: As part of the disaster management initiative, the Tripura government has decided to set up at least nine ham radio stations (Amateur Radio) to facilitate people’s talk across the localities and to share information during times of need without internet or cell phones.
The officials of the state disaster management authority on Friday said considering ham radio as one of the alternative communication systems in disaster management, nine such radio stations across all eight districts of the state.
The first ham radio station is all set to start functioning at State Emergency Operation Centre in the Secretariat complex very soon and the rest eight such stations would be operational after due licensing by the Ministry of Communication, officials stated adding that about 1500 volunteers have already been trained for quick and emergency response.
To extend equipment support for emergency rescue operations, the state government has procured 45 types of critical equipment and positioned them at all 23 sub-divisions, 12 TSR battalions, and district headquarters, which includes drones, night vision equipment, motor boats, life detectors, satellite phones, cutters, firefighting and lighting equipment, tents, stretchers, and ambulances.
The officials pointed out that Tripura has been identified as prone to 11 various types of disasters like Lightning/Thundering, fire accidents, erosion, heavy rain and flash flood, storm, strong wind, heat waves, sunstroke, drowning in rivers, ponds, deep hole, lakes, and Mass tragedy/accidents, boat tragedy, gas leakage, poisoning.
Besides, the early weather warning, IMD has agreed to install additional 10 Automated Rain Gauges for Agartala and other urban areas. Also, additional 7 Automated Weather Stations would be installed in strategic locations in the state, officials stated.
On the other, Central Water Commission is setting up of additional seven flood forecasting stations in Gomati, Howrah, Khowai, and Dhalai rivers while a special project is being implemented for river embankment studies for Manu and Howrah rivers with technical support from the North East Space Application Centre.
