A team of 14 radio ama­teurs are now involved in emer­gency com­mu­ni­ca­tion net as Cyclone Nilo­far with its rain and wind approach­es the west coast of India out of the Ara­bi­an Sea.
Nation­al Coor­di­na­tor for Dis­as­ter Com­mu­ni­ca­tion Jayu Bhide VU2JAU says some have emer­gency com­mu­ni­ca­tion expe­ri­ence, oth­ers in portable oper­a­tion, but all efforts show a spir­it and sin­cer­i­ty in Ama­teur Radio serv­ing the community.
He says coop­er­a­tion is being sought to keep the HF traf­fic on 7035 kHz and 14135 kHz clear for emer­gency use.
The hams have respond­ed to Gov­ern­ment of Gujarat requests to set up at Bhuj, Dwari­ka, Por­ban­dar and Rajkot.
The coastal area Kac­ch­ha record­ed winds at 60 kms per hour, it was over­cast and few places have had some light rains, but no dam­age reports.
Jayu VU2JAU says as a pre­cau­tion­ary mea­sure some impor­tant coastal areas were evac­u­at­ed as no chances will be tak­en with this cyclonic storm. It remains anx­ious time ahead for many.
‑Jim Lin­ton VK3PC, Chair­man IARU Region 3 Dis­as­ter Com­mu­ni­ca­tions Committee.