DISANET

DISANET-Information Network for Natural Disaster Mitigation and Recovery, is a joint research project between the Indian Institute of Technology and Japanese universities. An IIT Madras team is developing an affordable communication system that can enable rescue workers to communicate with a locally established centre and, through this centre, to the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) in Delhi. The system, named DISANET, allows basic services such as voice, text and video communications to be exchanged within this network of rescue workers, Master Operation Centre and the NDMA.

Key Facts

• The basic aim of this system is to monitor Natural disasters and evolve and enhance emergency communication system by using information technology tools.
• The objectives also include enabling citizens within the reach of this system to communicate essential messages. The whole system is compatible with basic model mobile phones, as most users in India do not own smart phones.
• The seeds of the present project were sown in 2010 when Japan and India jointly launched a five year project to develop a network for Natural Disaster Mitigation and Recovery at Hyderabad.
• DISANET project is funded by Japan Science and Technology Agency and involves IITs from Kanpur, Madras and Hyderbad.
• The design of the present project has four subsystems — WiFi, a satellite link, single-carrier GSM and LTE (Long Term Evolution) which is a standard for high-speed wireless communication for mobile phones and data terminals.
• The compact system can be easily transported in trucks to the site of the Master Operation Centre within a few hours of the disaster. The wireless system should provide coverage over an area of approximately 1,000 square kilometres.
• Rescue workers with GSM handsets, WiFi cameras and WiFi nodes can spread out over an area of 12-25 square kilometre to form the primary deployment area. These workers supply communication between the affected area and the Master Operation Centre (MOC). The MOC has pico- or micro-sized LTE-Base Stations which are mounted at a height of 15 to 20 metres which is achieved by a tethered-balloon that is inflated and hoisted at the MOC.

Also, the rescue team can directly communicate with citizens about the arrangements using FM broadcast, which citizens receive on their mobiles. This enables the flow of authenticated information from the authorities to the citizens and prevents rumour-mongering during times of disaster.