How the Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS) in Odisha can aid in averting the harmful impacts of the cyclones?

Odisha being the coastal state is prone to cyclones that cause huge loss of life and property. The Odisha government has launched the Early Warning Dissemination System which is a first-of-its-kind technology in India. The system can simultaneously warn coastal communities and fisherfolk about impending cyclone and tsunami through siren towers.

• The Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS) comprises technologies such as satellite-based mobile data voice terminals, digital mobile radio, mass messaging system and universal communication interface for interoperability.
• The Early Warning Dissemination System project aims to establish a fool-proof communication system to address the existing gaps in disseminating disaster warning up to the community level.
• The innovative warning system will alert people about disasters such as floods and cyclone.
• Satellite-based mobile data voice terminal sets would be installed in Bhubaneswar and the six districts of Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Puri and Ganjam.
• Sirens will go off from 122 towers installed along the 480-km-long coast of the State if a button is pressed in the State emergency centre in Bhubaneswar.
• Fishermen fishing in deep sea can also be reached via mass SMS on their mobile phones through EWDS.
• Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) sets are also being provided since mobile phone communication systems are not reliable during disasters.

The EWDS will assist the people living on the 480 km length coastline by building the resilience against disasters. The project is implemented with the collaboration of state and central government under National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project with the assistance of World Bank.