The radio will help "prepare for any disaster in advance so as to save human and property loss," said Collector Suresh Kumar.
A first of its kind emergency radio station, meant to connect people during natural disasters, has been set up in Tamil Nadu's Cuddalore district - an area hit by multiple disasters over the recent years.
The 24-hour radio, 107.8 FM, which goes on air from the district collectorate, will connect people within a radius of 20 km and will be available on most devices, including cellphones. The range will soon be doubled.
The 2004 tsunami had killed 600 people in Cuddalore. In 2011, came the Thane cyclone. At least 68 people died in the region in floods last month.
The radio will help "prepare for any disaster in advance so as to save human and property loss," said Collector Suresh Kumar.
"During natural calamities power could go. But this FM radio would run in power back-up and people can receive it in ordinary FM devices and even on mobile phones," said John Nelson, Managing Trustee and Founder of the radio.
Saranalayam, a Non-Governmental Organisation or NGO, runs the radio with the help of volunteers. The district collectorate provides them with information.
The locals have welcomed the initiative. "We suffered a lot during the recent floods as we weren't warned adequately. This could be useful. Many people who travelled in my auto too liked it," said Ramesh, an auto driver.
Following the tsunami, an early warning public address system was put in place. But this was damaged by a cyclone and is yet to be fixed. Many hope this radio service could triumph over the waves and the wind.