Storm warning systems for Indian fishermen

On the southeastern coast of India, cyclones caused severe damage in October 1994, in November 1995 and in June, October and November 1996. The last of these devastated entire fishing villages, ruined banana and coconut plantations, killed 1 675 fisherfolk, wrecked 2 400 fishing boats and damaged a further 3 000, and led to the loss of thousands of fishing nets and other articles of equipment.

Because of a lack of radio communications, the timely warnings issued by the Indian Meteorological Department reached neither the remote fishing villages of the estuary and mangrove swamps nor the fishing boats at sea. The boats also lacked basic life-saving equipment.

Beginning in two pilot villages, FAO is providing funds for technical advice, training and equipment to ensure the reliable functioning of local systems for receiving and acting on storm warnings, both in fishing villages and at sea, and to develop, test and implement improved safety procedures at sea for small-scale fishing.