Bangalore prepares for war, alarms, HAMS in place

According to the War Manual, Bangalore is classified a civil defence town. Recently, the Centre also notified Kaiga, where Karnataka’s ...

According to the War Manual, Bangalore is classified a civil defence town. Recently, the Centre also notified Kaiga, where Karnataka’s nuclear power station is located, and Shaktinagar, where Raichur Thermal Power Station is, as civil defence towns.

That means in times of war, the civil defence set-up needs to be reactivated. And it is. Bangalore is quietly gearing up in case war breaks out. An Air Raid Warning System has already been put in place to warn citizens of an impending attack from the sky.

Director General of Police (Fire Services and Home Guards) and ex-officio Director of Civil Defence Jaiparkash said the system had been tested a few days ago. ‘‘The sirens, placed in 10 locations around the city, can be operated by pressing a single button. They can also be operated manually from their respective locations,’’ he said.

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‘‘There are essentially two types of sirens: One does the warning and the other is an ‘‘all clear’’ signal. It can be heard from any part of Bangalore,’’ he added.

Jaiparkash said the system has been connected to the Air Force Warning System at Yelahanka Air Force Station: ‘‘The air raid warning system will be activated if enemy aircraft manages to penetrate deep inside Indian territory. Though it may not happen, it is always better to be prepared.’’

The civil defence set-up has alerted 6,000 volunteers, who will guide the public to the nearest bomb shelters, help the injured and generally control chaos. The volunteers have been trained in civil defence and emergency procedures and will be given bands, whistles and caps to distinguish them in times of crisis.

Along with getting sirens in order, nodal officers have been asked to coordinate with electricity boards to arrange for blackouts whenever there is a signal of an impending air raid. ‘‘Designated air raid shelters have been identified,’’ he said.

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The Bangalore Amateur Radio Club, the local HAMS, are also in the picture in case communication lines are down. Jaiparkash said he was developing a website on disaster management.

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