National Institute of Amateur Radio

6-3-1092 /93, Raj Bhavan Road, Somajiguda,
Hyderabad-500082, Telangana, India.

+91 40 2331 0287

+91 40 2331 0787

info@niar.org

Disaster Management

NIAR in Disaster Management

National Institute of Amateur Radio established in the year 1983 has been involved in providing such second line communications during various emergencies in the country over the last one and a half decades. The institute has received numerous appreciations for its valuable services from national and international agencies for its role in several major disasters that occurred in the country over the years. The volunteers of NIAR have rendered selfless support to the administration in several Cyclones, Floods, Earthquakes, Rail/Road/Air accidents all over the country. Some of the major incidents are the Uttarkashi, Latur and Gujarat Earthquakes, Beechpalli Road accident and Cyclones & Floods in AP and other states, Orissa Super cyclone, Amarnath Yatra tradgedy, Tsunami in Andaman, Aila Cyclone etc.
In a developing country like ours it is more than necessary to use such technologies, which is not only cost effective but also maintain a resource of skilled and talented personnel at village level. Where people themselves can better organise for their local needs which is the main criterion during disasters.
With years of experience and knowledge of emergency planning and preparedness we have adopted a new concept to provide quality public service communications were CW, SSB and Digital communications work together. The systems such as Disaster Relief Vehicle is found be most ideal for emergencies wherein both emergency medical care and communication can be provided at the site of incident as well as transport of health workers and Amateur Radio operators. The institute provided similar facilities by having a medical doctor who is also a Ham Radio operator during the Latur earthquake relief operations and provided excellent support to the administration.
The initial reports from the villages suggest that the scheme has attracted the interests of many villagers and is well received at all places where it has conducted its activities so far.
A couple of years back, the then Central Vigilance Commissioner Mr. N.Vittal, VU2NVO has inaugurated a “National Control Room (Amateur Radio) for Emergency Management” at NIAR, which can be accessed by amateurs anywhere in the world who would like to cooperate in disasters.
Minister for Revenue & Relief, accompanied by the Relief Commissioner, Govt. of Gujarat, visited NIAR Headquarters at Hyderabad and held detailed discussions on possibilities of expanding Amateur Radio activities in this part of the country.
The CAPART, Relief & Finance Depts. of Govt. of AP & Gujarat, Orissa, several District Collectors, Dept. of Education, Dept. of Science & Technology, Dept. of Electronics, Dept. of CSIR, Dept. of Programme Implementation MPLAD etc. have all appreciated the service.
We are happy to say that NIAR has made a remarkable progress in its aim to provide better systems for Disaster Management for benefit of society.