23-05-2025
Disaster management authority writes to DoT to ensure uninterrupted service in coastal and Malnad regions
Shivamogga
The Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority has written to the Department of Telecommunications to ensure uninterrupted communication in the coastal and Malnad regions, which are prone to floods and landslips during the monsoon season.
The authority wrote the letter on Thursday after Chikkamagaluru Deputy Commissioner Meena Nagara raised the issue of telecommunication and internet disruptions in the Malnad region, critically impacting the disaster response, in a meeting held on May 20, to review preparedness for the ensuing southwest monsoon.
The Deputy Commissioner, in the meeting, stated that telecommunication and internet disruption were caused by power outages in the Malnad region. The telecom service providers (TSPs) fail to ensure adequate fuel for backup generators or sufficient battery recharging of Base Transceiver Station (BTS) towers.
Honnamba S., commissioner of the authority, on Thursday, wrote to G.S. Sutar, Deputy Director General, Bengaluru, to instruct all TSPs and Internet Service Providers (ISP) in the coastal and Malnad district to ensure uninterrupted services during the monsoon.
In the letter, the officer stated that Standard Operation Procedure issued by the DoT, clearly stated that the TSPs and ISPs should provide sufficient fuel, power, and essential equipment backups to BTS towers to ensure uninterrupted communication during monsoon in areas prone to disasters.
Several areas of Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Shivamogga, Hassan, Uttara Kannada, Udupi, and Dakshina Kannada districts receive 4,000 to 5,500 mm of rainfall annually. The areas are prone to floods and landslips. However, these areas face network issues. During heavy rains the problem worsens, making it difficult for the administration to get reports about floods and landslips from the ground and respond to the situation.
