A new technology of common alerting system through cell broadcast would be launched on September 1 to help fishermen community safe from any cyclones and other disasters said retired Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain.
Mr. Hasnain was inaugurating the ‘Conclave on Marine multi-hazards services for Indian coastline’ organised by Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in the city on Friday.
Mr. Hasnain, a member of NDMA, said the cell broadcast application would have advanced technology where even if the mobile was in silent mode, it will generate a sound to alert the fishermen and those having the app about any natural calamities or any cyclones.
He cited the efficient handling of the Cyclone Biparjoy, which hit Gujarat coast in 2023, where multi-stakeholders including State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) worked in tandem by evacuating those in low-level areas and by sending more than 32 million alert messages helped prevent loss of life. He wanted the public to download the Sachet app of NDMA or Samudra app of INCOIS for getting various weather alerts.
MSSRF Chairperson Dr. Soumya Swaminathan wanted the NDMA to create an emergency sea service similar to ambulance services for evacuating any fishermen facing any health emergency to be safely evacuated. Highlighting the long-term health hazards caused to the fishermen community due to fast climate changes, she wanted heat index data to be recorded.
Balaji Ramakrishnan, Director of National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), said the coordinated efforts of all institutions including MSSRF in disseminating Tsunami and Cyclone alerts have helped the coastal community to remain safe. Mr. Balaji talked about the Mission Mausam of the MoES for which ₹20,000 crore has been allotted to make the country ready for any weather challenges.
Balakrishnan Nair, Director of INCOIS, also spoke on the occasion.
Published – August 29, 2025 11:59 pm IST
