Tamil Nadu - Cuddalore   

Early warning system

Special Correspondent

To be set up in 55 villages in the first phase

CUDDALORE: A pilot project for the installation of a wireless-triggered early warning system has been launched in Cuddalore district. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-funded project is first of its kind in India, according to District Collector Gagandeep Singh Bedi.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Mr. Bedi said that in the first phase, the system would be installed in 55 villages, including coastal areas and interior places. It was tested at Thazhanguda coastal hamlet on Tuesday, he said.

Mr. Bedi said that by September-end all the systems would be in place. Each system would cost about Rs. 60,000, with the total expenditure amounting to Rs 33 lakh. Based on the past history of floods and cyclone, the following places would be equipped with the system: Kurinjipadi — 12, Panruti — three, Kattumannarkoil — five, Kumaratchi — seven, Mel Bhuvanagiri — five, Parangipettai — six, Khammapuram — five, and Keerapalayam, Thazhnguda and Pichavaram — one each.

Soon after receiving the information about impending disasters such as floods, cyclone and the tsunami, officials could immediately sound the alarm and alert the vulnerable areas through the wireless-linked public address system.

The real time communication would help immediate evacuation of the people from those places.

Since the system was operating on battery, it would be fail-proof.

Mr. Bedi said the panchayat unions would maintain the system and impart training among the elected representatives.

All the BDOs, Assistant Director (Panchayat), Personal Assistant to the Collector (Development), Project Officer (DRDA), Tahsildars, Sub-Collector, and RDOs had already been provided with wireless sets, both in their offices and in their vehicles.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Early warning system

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu