Disaster Warning Communication

News:

NDMA planning to expand its extreme weather warning system to other media beyond phone texts.

Why:

Disaster warning is important to enable official, responders and people to take necessary precautions in a timely manner.
It will help reduce loss of lives and economic losses.

How:

Early warnings are issued through the National Disaster Alert Portal. The Sachet mobile app also helps disseminate critical information.
Text messages are sent via mobile phones. These texts include information about:
- Heavy rains
- Thunderstorms
- Heat waves, etc.
Such messaging will now be expanded, under phase II, to other media like:
- Television
- Radio, etc.
The alerts are to be sent in 2 languages- including the local language.
The “Common Alerting Protocol Based Integrated Alert System” brings together all alert generating agencies like:
- India Meteorological Department
- Central Water Commission
- Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services
- Forest Survey of India
- Alert disseminating agencies
- State disaster management authorities

Significance:

India is set to be the only country outside the Global North to have such a common alerting protocol.
In 2022, India lost 2,770 people due to extreme weather events (according to IMD).

Pros:

Subscription won’t be required. Alerts are to be sent automatically.

Who:

Extreme weather event warnings are provided by the National Disaster Management Authority.

When:

The phase I of the project was sanctioned in 2021.

Where:

The pilot project was undertaken in TN.

Consider the following statements:

The National Disaster Alert Portal is the only platform used for issuing early warnings.
The expansion of the disaster warning system includes the use of television and radio as additional media.
The Common Alerting Protocol Based Integrated Alert System involves collaboration among various alert generating agencies.

How many of the above statements are correct?

[A] Only one

[B] Only two

[C] All three

[D] None

Answer: [B] Only two

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect because the reference text mentions that the Sachet mobile app is also used for disseminating critical information, in addition to the National Disaster Alert Portal.

Statement 2 is correct as per the reference text, which states that the messaging system will be expanded to other media like television and radio.

Statement 3 is correct as it is mentioned in the reference text that the “Common Alerting Protocol Based Integrated Alert System” brings together alert generating agencies such as the India Meteorological Department, Central Water Commission, Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, Forest Survey of India, alert disseminating agencies, and state disaster management authorities.

Hence, only statements 2 and 3 are correct.