Chennai radio hams walk into cyclone

K.M. Devadas VU2DH and Aravind Balasubramanian VU2ABS played a big role in the establishment of amateur radio communication system by the Cuddalore district administration to tackle possible challenges arising from cyclone Nivar

The Hindu newspaper reports:  

For K.M. Devadas and Aravind Balasubramanian, the fourth week of November took an unexpected turn. ‘Turn’ is an understatement. ‘Twist’ is closer to the truth, as they would be walking into a cyclone. HAM enthusiasts, these residents of Chennai had accepted an invitation from the Cuddalore District Collectorate to set up HAM stations, both VHF and HF, across the district.

If Nivar proved overwhelming and all other communication systems failed, they would have to keep the messages flowing back and forth between the Collectorate in Cuddalore and six local administrative offices, including the block development offices in Kumaratchi and Parangipettai and the town panchayat office in Killai and the revenue divisional office in Cuddalore.

Read the full story at
https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/chennai-hams-walk-into-nivar/article33202213.ece

BBC – Cyclone Nivar: Landfall triggers torrential downpours
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-55068379