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Role of Broadcasting during Disasters
Introduction:
This article describes about role of broadcasting and broadcasters during disaster of
any type for the benefit of masses. This article is based on my experiences in Doordarshan
Kendra, Srinagar during unprecedented flood in the Srinagar city. During September 2014,
Kashmir valley had experienced unprecedented rainfall throughout the valley region on all
the hills in the upper catchment areas of river Jhelum, due to which Srinagar and other parts
of Kashmir valley were flooded. It caused widespread damages to lives and properties.
Particularly it has put local population in hardship. During and after flooding, local people
and tourists had to pass through trauma due to non availability of basic support services and
more specifically due to non availability of correct information at right time.
Major challenges:
At times disasters occur during night when people are in deep slumber, which leads
to higher casualties due to lack of dissemination of information. Most of the time city power
supply is switched off during disasters - hence battery operated receivers only can work. At
the same time in the absence of communication network, family members get separated
during rescue operations. This separation causes mental trauma to children and their
parents.
Needs during a Disaster:
In the interest of masses for safety and life saving, the most important action is a
timely warning. Along with the warning, people need to be informed about 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 and other Do’s and Don'ts so that people can face the disaster
with a stable mental status. Similarly, people need to be informed after passage of disaster
about the nearest temporary shelter, the nearest temporary medical help center, the
nearest food centre, the nearest communication center, information for tourists about bus,
train, air service etc. including other Do’s and Don'ts.
Program themes for broadcasting during disaster:
Before occurrence of disaster, people need to be informed about storage of drinking
water, usage behaviour of drinking water, eating behaviour, washing behaviour, usage of
medicine, first aid awareness and home remedies, how to save battery life of mobile
phones, how to walk while wading through water. Most importantly, the moral of people
needs to be boosted and encouraged to stay united with fellow members in disaster
situation of difficult time.
Disaster preparedness of broadcasters:
Broadcast warnings are more suitable for disaster warning as it works on “ONE to
MANY” mode with minimum bandwidth requirement. Further, broadcast warnings do not
need a return path - which could be limited by radiating power of receiving device.

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With timely and pre-emptive actions, broadcasting can save lives of masses and
materials worth crore of rupees by guiding people to move toward safer places well in
advance before the occurrence of disaster. This can be done by storing programs related to
all types of disasters in head ends and all transmitters; store diesel etc. in each transmitter;
store critical spares and resources in each zone to start services at the earliest, post
disaster. Pre-disaster task lists to be displayed in each station for all type of disasters for
awareness of staff working in transmitters and program generating centers. Broadcasters
can use DVDs for Program Archival. All broadcasters can have country wide single Helpline
Call center phone Number(s) to collect Voice calls, SMS, Photos, Videos etc. which can be
routed to any Transmitter and Studio during the disaster for extending right kind of help to
masses.
Desired features in Broadcast receivers:
Adoption of “Auto Switch ON” feature in radio receivers and Digital TV sets-based
on disaster code (to be generated by National Disaster Management Authority) sent from
Radio and TV transmitters. Development of Apps for DVB-T2 (Lite) ready smart phones,
which can alert users even in night based on disaster code sent from transmitter.
Disaster Code shall contain (1) Geographical area affected: so that warnings are
flashed only in affected areas; (2) Type of disaster; (3) Level (Gravity) of disaster; (4) Time
of strike and Period of Disaster.
Future options:
Following possibilities may be explored in the interest of public service and safety:
1. 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. [See Figure-1]
2. 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.
3. DTH Set Top Box OEMs and Mobile phone OEMs 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

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phone for listening disaster warning broadcast when there is no city power supply
during disaster. [See Figure-2]
4. 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 and disaster code (Region, Type & level) from
NDMA.
5. Similarly, Telecom companies can also help in dissemination of disaster warnings by
introduction of Disaster mode in phones – which can be activated by TELCO only. (i)
So that automated simultaneous wake up/ warning calls can be given on all phones
in targeted area (ii) So that Phone can increase radiating power to its maximum
limit. (iii) So that battery energy can be preserved for disaster period. (iv) So that
BTS tower can radiate maximum power to cover larger area. (v) So that smart phone
App can send location to a pre-specified phone no.
6. Development and promotion of Solar chargers for Mobile phones.
7. Inclusion of lessons in primary and secondary education on precautions to be
followed during disasters and disaster warning system, disaster preparedness.
8. Awareness programs on disaster warning system and disaster preparedness in
schools.

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About the Author:
J M Kharche is presently working as Dy. Director General (Engg) in Doordarshan Kendra, Srinagar,
India. After completing his graduation in Engineering from MACT, Bhopal, he joined Doordarshan
through IES-88 batch. Since then he has been involved in operation and maintenance of TV
transmitters and Earth Stations equipments and Inspection of Broadcast equipments. He has served
in different capacities in Doordarshan Kendra, Ahmedabad; Bhawanipatna; DD’s Inspection Cell,
Baroda; Central Production Center, New Delhi and Satellite Planning Cell of Doordarshan
Directorate, New Delhi, before his current posting to Doordarshan Kendra, Srinagar. At Doordarshan
Directorate, he has been involved in Doordashan’s DTH project, Digitalization of Satellite Earth
Stations and Modernization of DSNGs in Doordarshan Network for more than a decade. [E-mail:
jmkharche@yahoo.com]