The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed all operators in the Gujarat circle to share infrastructure through intra-circle roaming arrangements for 15 days as part of restoration facilities in the event of state being affected by cyclone Nilofar. The storm is expected to make landfall on October 31, 2014 at the Gujarat coast. The districts of Kutch, Jamnagar, Junagarh and Porbandar are likely to be worst-affected.
The other measures include setting up of call centres in Gujarat with helpline number 1948 to trace people.. DoT has also directed telecom operators to transmit advisory information, in the form of an SMS, from National Disaster Management Authority and Meteorological Department to all subscribers in the state.
Apart from this, provision of Wi-Fi hotspots in relief camps will be organised on the lines of facilities provided during recent floods in Jammu and Kashmir. DoT has further directed all national long distance service providers and very small aperture terminal (VSAT) providers to extend support by sharing infrastructure to facilitate immediate restoration of telecommunication facilities.