This document discusses the important role of broadcasting in disseminating information during disasters. It notes that broadcasting can reach people when power is out and families are separated. It recommends broadcasting information on disaster preparedness, immediate needs after a disaster, and safety tips. It also suggests collaborations between broadcasters, telecom providers, and emergency agencies to develop systems for seamless warnings. New technologies like mobile apps and interfaces between devices could further improve warning dissemination. Education on disaster preparedness is also highlighted as important.

1. Roll of Broadcasting in Disaster
J M Kharche
Dy. Director General (E)
Doordarshan Kendra, Srinagar

2. Role of Broadcasting

3. Major Challenges During disasters
• If disaster is struck during night time most of the
people are asleep - which may lead to higher
casualties due to lack of dissemination
information.
• Most of the time city power supply is switched
off during disasters - hence battery operated
receivers can only work.
• In Absence of communication, Family members
get separated during rescue operations.

4. Needs just before Disaster
• What to store
• How to store
• Where to store
• What to wear
• What not to wear
• Where to stay during disaster
• Where to move after disaster
• What are other Do’s and Don'ts

5. Needs just After Disaster
• Where is nearest temporary shelter
• Where is nearest temporary medical help
center
• Where is nearest food centre
• Where is nearest communication center
• Information for tourists
• What are other Do’s and Don'ts

6. Programs Themes for Broadcast
• Store safe drinking water in bottles, jugs, utensils
etc to the extent it is possible to store.
• Use small cups to drink limited water per day to
conserve drinking water so that it can last long.
• Use newspaper to wipe dish /plate after eating
food and then wash it with a little water.
• Eat only limited small breakfast and one limited
meal a day.
• Reduce quantity of regular dosage of medicines /
tablets if there is less stock to avoid total
stoppage in the event of prolonged captivity.

7. Programs Themes for Broadcast
• First Aid awareness and home remedies.
• Not to brush or use minimum water for mouth
wash to conserve potable water.
• Stop usage of flush and use river water through
bucket for flushing in toilets.
• Use SMS or Data service and avoid voice calls to
save battery.
• Use of Stick while walking in water
• To stay united and boost morale of fellow
members in this situation of difficult time.

8. Disaster Preparedness
• Storage of programs related to all types of disasters in
head ends and all transmitters.
• Storage of Diesel etc in each transmitters.
• Storage of critical spares and resources in each zone to
start services at the earliest, post disaster.
• Pre-disaster task list to be displayed in each station for
a all type of disasters for awareness of staff.
• Use of DVDs for Program Archival
• Country wide single Helpline Call center No to collect
Voice calls, SMS, Photo, Video etc which can be routed
to any Transmitter and Studio.

9. Broadcast vs Telecom services
• Broadcast warnings works on one to many
with minimum bandwidth.
• Broadcast warnings do not need return path -
which may be limited by radiating power of
receiving device.

10. Desired Features in Receivers
• Adoption of “Auto Switch ON” feature in radio
receivers and Digital TV sets- based on
disaster code (to be generated by NDMA) sent
from AIR and TV (in case of DVB-T2 Lite)
transmitter.
• Development of Apps for DVB-T2 (Lite) ready
smart phones, which can alert users even in
night based on disaster code sent from
transmitter.

11. Contents of Disaster code
• Geographical area affected: so that warnings
are flashed only in affected areas.
• Type of disaster.
• Level (Gravity) of disaster.
• Time of strike and Period of Disaster.

12. Scope in Broadcasting
• All future DVB-T2 transmitter to have DVB-T2
(Lite) modulation so that it can transmit disaster
warnings and preventive advices on battery
operated receivers (Smart Phones) for public
service and safety.
• All transmitters and DTH Head Ends can be
upgraded to store pre recorded Disaster
warnings, advices to sustain long period of
captivity or safety precautions so that it can be
broadcast on getting a trigger, disaster code
(Region, Type & level) from NDMA.

13. Need of Collaboration
• Broadcasters, Telecom service providers,
National Disaster Management Authority
(NDMA), Indian Meteorological Department
(IMD), Broadcast Original Equipment
Manufacturers (OEMs) and Telecom OEMs
may collaborate for development of a
standard interface and Network among
themselves for seamless dissemination of
timely advices and warnings to masses.

14. Proposed Network for Collaboration
IMD NDMA
Broadcasters
MSO Head Ends
DTH Head Ends
TELCOs
VPN
NETWORK
OEMs
PSTN
NETWORK
Country wide Single
Disaster Helpline no

15. Development of New Interface
• DTH Set Top Box OEMs and Mobile phone OEM
may collaborate for development of a standard
interface (USB on DTH STB to Micro USB on
Mobile phone) for using mobile battery to give
power to DTH STB and use speakers / screen of
smart mobile phone for listening disaster warning
broadcast when there is no city power supply
during disaster.
• Promotion of Solar chargers for Mobile phones in
disaster prone area.

16. New USB Interface: DTH STB to Mobile
DTH Setup
USB
port
During this mode only tuner
and LNBC need to powered

17. What is expected from TELCOs
• Disaster mode in phones – which can be activated by
TELCO only.
• So that automated simultaneous wake up/ warning
calls can be given on all phones in targeted area.
• So that Phone can increase radiating power to its
maximum limit.
• So that battery energy can be reserved for disaster
period.
• So that BTS tower can radiate maximum power to
cover larger area.
• So that smart phone App can send location to a pre-
specified phone no.

18. Potential of Education sector
• Inclusion of lessons in primary and secondary
education on precautions to be followed
during disasters
• Awareness programs on disaster warning
system and disaster preparedness in schools.

19. Any Question?
Feel free to contact
jmkharche@yahoo.com