Impressed by Kerala’s advanced disaster warning infrastructure, Odisha is set to adopt a customised version of the Kerala Warnings, Crisis and Hazard Management system (KaWaCHaM), the State’s technologically advanced Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS), to strengthen disaster preparedness along the cyclone-prone coastline of Odisha.

The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), with support from the National Disaster Management Authority and the World Bank, successfully implemented and operationalised the KaWaCHaM in 2024, an advanced EWDS. Following its success, Odisha is now planning to establish a similar EWDS network across the State on the east coast, as the State remains one of the most vulnerable in the country to natural calamities such as cyclones.

A delegation from Odisha recently visited Kerala and sought the State’s assistance in establishing a KaWaCHaM-like network. KaWaCHaM, the name given by Kerala, is a cutting-edge, intelligent decision-support and last-mile early warning dissemination system designed to strengthen disaster risk reduction through the integration of advanced technology.

More effective

According to Sekhar Kuriakose, Member-Secretary of KSDMA, the Odisha delegation studied the project in detail before seeking Kerala’s support in framing and implementing a customised system for their State. “They already have an analogue-based siren network. However, the digitally integrated system conceptualised by Kerala assimilates feeds from different sources into a robust alert mechanism. Featuring 126 sirens, strobe lights, and cameras, it ensures timely mass communication of warnings and is considered far more effective during emergencies,” said Mr. Kuriakose.

“As of now, KaWaCHaM is India’s most advanced and completely digitally-driven disaster warning system, integrating all possible data feeds. The Kerala government has also developed 20 cyclone shelters along it’s coast, and these shelters are comparable to three-star facilities, equipped with kitchens, toilets, solar power, generators, and separate spaces for women, children, and persons with disabilities. Such amenities are rarely seen in Odisha. The delegation from Odisha visited Kerala three times within a year to study the system before seeking our guidance,” he added.

Although Odisha has cyclone shelters across all its blocks, they also do not match the technical standards maintained by Kerala. Apart from the 20 specialised cyclone shelters, Kerala has also notified more than 20,000 other buildings as emergency shelters. The KaWaCHaM system became functional on April 1, 2024. The name ‘KaWaCHaM’ means ‘shield’ in Malayalam, symbolising protection for communities against disasters.