DoT, telcos on toes as cyclone Nisarga heads Maharashtra, Gujarat

Telecom service and infrastructure providers in India are geared up to provide uninterrupted communication services in Maharashtra and Gujarat, as the two western states prepare to deal with any eventualities during the cyclone Nisarga. The super cyclone is expected to make landfall close to Mumbai on 3 June 2020.

Commenting on its preparedness  Vodafone Idea Ltd (VIL) spokesperson said that the company has always been committed to providing seamless connectivity to people, especially during times of emergency.

“We are prepared to face the cyclone Nisarga forecasted to hit the western coast and are taking all necessary precautions to keep the networks safe,” the spokesperson stated, adding that, “Despite the current lockdown situation, we are working to ensure sufficient fuel supply to our sites, and stocking at strategic locations for use in times of emergency.”

According to industry sources, since all telecom operators have been on an emergency mode since the lockdown, which was followed by the recent cyclone Amphan that lashed parts of coastal West Bengal and Odisha, they are likely to be better prepared to deal with the cyclone that is predicted to intensify into a Severe Cyclonic Storm during next 12 hours.

“All our IP members have taken necessary steps to ensure connectivity 24/7 in the areas which are likely to be affected by the cyclone and all the background arrangements like additional DG sets, battery banks, spare parts, stocking of diesel are taken care off. IPs have also deployed additional rescue teams that are kept on standby mode for all major districts like to get impacted during Nisarga,” Tower and Infrastructure Providers Association (TAIPA) Director-General TR Dua said.

He also pointed out that the association has requested chief secretaries of the two states and DoT to facilitate the unrestricted movement of man and material for interstate movement, issuing E-passes and availability of diesel supply to enable the sector to provide services during the period.

Speaking on the readiness of service providers, Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) Director-General Rajan S Mathews informed that besides provisioning for redundancy of DG sets, spares, and diesel at tower sites, the service providers have put their network operations center (NOCs) on full alert.

“The microwave teams are also on alert and TSPs are prepared to deal with fiber cuts and any damage to the infrastructure so that the services if affected can be restored at the earliest,” he said

Mathews also stated that considering the COVID situation in Maharashtra, COAI and the TSPs are working closely with the state government administration and local police to ensure round the clock free movements of support staff in affected areas.

“Since the cyclone is also expected to hit Daman and Diu, the TSPs have already stationed field personnel for repairs and restoration in the union territory to avoid any hassle of cross-border travel. Besides, all arrangements have been made to enable intra-circle roaming (ICR) so that users of a service provider can switch to another operators' networks in case of any disruption in their network,” he said.

“We have also arranged mobile DGs, critical equipment, spares, and vehicles and kept them ready at key locations. Our War Rooms have been readied to monitor the network 24X7 and our teams have been prepared to manage any emergency situation,” VIL  stated.

The spokesperson further said that if required, VIL was geared up to work with other operators to open ICR and is working closely with partners and government agencies to ensure stable telecom connectivity during the cyclone to let people stay connected with their loved ones.”

According to the alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Cyclonic Storm Nisarga over the east-central Arabian Sea moved northwards with a speed of 13 kmph during the past six hours and was centred about 290 km west-northwest of Panjim (Goa), 380 km south-southwest of Mumbai (Maharashtra) and 600 km south-southwest of Surat (Gujarat).

“It is very likely to move nearly northwards during the next few hours, recurve north-northeastwards thereafter and cross north Maharashtra and adjoining south Gujarat coast between Harihareshwar and Daman, close to Alibag in Raigad district of Maharashtra with a maximum sustained wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph,” the IMD alert stated.

Following the alert, the country’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Tuesday held a meeting with the TSPs, infrastructure providers, LSAs, and the industry associations to review the preparedness of the service providers to deal with the super cyclone. The meeting that was chaired by DoT Secretary Anshu Prakash, was also attended by the Director-Generals of COAI and TAIPA.

shubhendup@cybermedia.co.in