Fri May 23 15:23:40 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Karnataka Government Demands Uninterrupted Telecom Services in Flood-Prone Regions**
Shivamogga, May 23, 2025 – The Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has urged the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to ensure continuous communication services in the coastal and Malnad regions of the state ahead of the monsoon season. These areas are highly susceptible to floods and landslides.
The request follows concerns raised by Chikkamagaluru Deputy Commissioner Meena Nagara during a monsoon preparedness review meeting on May 20th. Nagara highlighted that frequent power outages in the Malnad region disrupt telecommunication and internet services, severely hindering disaster response efforts. Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) are reportedly failing to maintain adequate fuel supplies for backup generators or sufficiently recharge Base Transceiver Station (BTS) towers.
Honnamba S., commissioner of the KSDMA, formally requested G.S. Sutar, Deputy Director General of the DoT in Bengaluru, to instruct all TSPs and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) operating in the coastal and Malnad districts to guarantee uninterrupted services throughout the monsoon season. The letter emphasized that the DoT’s own Standard Operating Procedures mandate TSPs and ISPs to provide sufficient fuel, power, and backup equipment for BTS towers to maintain communication during disasters.
The affected districts, including Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Shivamogga, Hassan, Uttara Kannada, Udupi, and Dakshina Kannada, receive significant annual rainfall (4,000 to 5,500 mm) and are prone to both floods and landslides. Network disruptions during heavy rains exacerbate the problem, making it difficult for local administrations to gather on-the-ground reports and effectively respond to emergency situations. The KSDMA’s intervention aims to prevent communication breakdowns that could potentially hamper disaster relief efforts in these vulnerable areas.
First Piper 