The India Meteorological Department has confirmed that cyclonic storm ‘DANA’ is approaching India’s east coast, specifically targeting Odisha and West Bengal. It is said to bring strong wind blow of up to 120 km/h along with heavy rainfall and landfall is also expected.
As a result, India’s prominent telecom giants, Bharti Airtel and Vi, have announced their precautionary measures in those areas. Both companies have set up War Rooms, working 24 x 7, and monitoring the network coverage. They also assured to have deployed additional manpower in the affected areas to offer uninterrupted connectivity.
Airtel and Vi have provisioned extra fuel for the backup of network equipment in case of a power outage. Airtel has enabled Interconnect Roaming (ICR) across Odisha and Bengal.
Regarding the situation, Bharti Airtel states that,
As Cyclone Dana makes landfall in the coastal regions of Bengal and Odisha, our on-the-ground teams are working around the clock to ensure uninterrupted connectivity for customers in the affected areas. In order
to keep an eye on the prevailing situation, we’ve formed a war room that is manned around-the-clock and have added additional personal. Apart from keeping a backup of network equipments, we have also provisioned for extra fuel in case there is a power outage, so that our sites can continue to get power. To further ensure that customers stay connected, we have enabled Interconnect Roaming (ICR) across Odisha and Bengal.We are doing everything we can to make sure that our customers can continue to communicate with their loved ones.
Vi states that,
Vi is strongly committed to provide seamless connectivity to people, especially at times of emergency. We have taken all precautionary measures to prepare for cyclone Dana. Proactively, we have ensured sufficient fuel supply to our sites across all locations, and stocking at strategic locations, for use in times of emergency. Vi has allocated additional manpower resources and vehicles in the alarming districts, to manage any emergency situation.
Further, 24X7 network monitoring is being done through physical War Rooms set up at VIL and vendor offices . We have also collaborated with other TSPs for testing Intra Circle Roaming Roaming (ICR). Through our partnerships with all stakeholders and Government agencies, we have prepared to ensure stable telecom connectivity during the cyclone to let people stay connected with their loved ones.