ARLA/CLUSTER: Radioamadores na India promovem comunicações de emergencia

[João Costa > CT1FBF]

Hams in India provide emergency communications

In northern India, the early seasonal monsoon rains are three times as
heavy as usual, causing flooding, mudslides and a death toll of at
least 800. The disaster caught everyone by surprise.

The emergency communications provided by radio amateurs are well known
to disaster authorities and the government, through their preparedness
drills and other presentations.

India's National Coordinator for Disaster Communication Jayu Mbide
VU2JAU said two amateur radio stations were active in the disaster
area, at Dehradum and Uttarkshi. He has personally been in contact
with them.

They have been sending messages via coordinating stations in Gwalior,
New Delhi and elsewhere. The emergency communications they provide
will continue for some time.

Government officials estimate 33,000 people have been rescued so far
and around 63,000 are missing.

Rescue efforts involving soldiers are continuing, and more than 50 air
force helicopters have dropped food, water and medical supplies to
people trapped by the flood.

Jim Linton VK3PC
 Chairman IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee,
 with help from India's National Coordinator for Disaster
Communication Jayu Mbide VU2JAU