KaWaCHaM

KaWaCHaM Latest News

Recently, the Kerala government launched KaWaCHaM, one of the world’s fastest weather alert systems.

About KaWaCHaM:

• KaWaCHaM’ stands for Kerala Warnings Crisis and Hazards Management System, and the word kavacham in Malayalam translates to ‘shield’, symbolising protection.
• It is an advanced disaster warning system that integrates alerts, sirens, and global weather models to improve the state’s early disaster preparedness and public safety.
• It is designed to enhance rescue and rehabilitation efforts during extreme weather events driven by climate change.
• Funding: It is developed with funding from the National Disaster Management Authority and the World Bank as part of the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project.

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Key Features of KaWaCHaM

It includes hazard assessment, alert issuance, and action planning according to threat levels.

The project aims to install 126 sirens and strobe lights on tall towers, government buildings, and schools.

• Each siren has three colours—red, yellow, and orange—in the strobe light and is equipped with eight loudspeakers.
• These sirens can broadcast warnings up to 1,200 metres away and provide essential information about emergency camps and safety precautions.
• The system will include pre-recorded voice messages and audio alerts to provide various warnings.
• Under the project, the state integrates all early warning systems into a framework that disseminates knowledge, issues warnings, monitors developing crises and ensures responses.
• It has been created to assess hazards, issue alerts, and take action based on the threat level.

Working Of KaWaCHaM

• KaWaCHaM collects data from various sources, including weather networks such as India Meteorological Department, INCOIS, and CWC, private and public agencies, social media networks, and the Internet.
• The warnings will cover sea attacks, heavy rainfall, strong winds, and extreme heat.
• It is headed by the state emergency operation centre, will operate at the taluk (subdistrict) level and cover all vulnerable areas.

KaWaCHaM FAQs

Q1: What is the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)?

Ans: It is the apex body for Disaster Management in India and is headed by the Prime Minister of India.

Q2: What is the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP)?

Ans: It is the centrally Sponsored Scheme and assisted by the World Bank programme for mitigating risks of cyclones in eight (08) cyclone prone coastal Statesof India.

Q3: What is the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS)?

Ans: It was established as an autonomous body in 1999 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) and is a unit of the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO).

Q4: What is the meaning of weather?

Ans: Weather is the state of the atmosphere, describing for example the degree to which it is hot or cold, wet or dry, calm or stormy, clear or cloudy

Q5: Which state launched the KaWaCHaM System?

Ans: Kerala

Source: DTE