KaWaCHaM disaster risk warning system to be launched on Tuesday

The Kerala Warnings, Crisis and Hazard Management system (KaWaCHaM), the disaster risk warning system, developed by the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) with the support of the National Disaster Management Authority and the World Bank, will be launched by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday.

The entire system includes a network of 126 siren-strobe light units, 93 emergency operation centres connected via VPN, decision support software, and a large data centre. The system will provide timely alerts rated to extreme weather events, such as heavy rain, strong winds, and sea surge to the public through the network of the “KaWaCHaM” warning sirens, developed as part of the National Cyclone Mitigation Plan, according to KSDMA.

Already, the SDMA has been using social media platforms, location-based SMS, and other communication channels for disseminating severe weather or disaster warnings received from central agencies to the public. In addition to this, a network of sirens and strobe lights has been set up for broadcasting severe disaster warnings from State and district Emergency Operations Centres to the public in the form of messages and sirens. The KSDMA will test sirens in various areas on the opening day of the launch after 5 p.m. and the public was urged not to panic during the trials.