The West Bengal Disaster Management and Civil Defence Department on Friday, 9 October 2026 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the West Bengal Radio Club (WBRC) in Kolkata, formalising a partnership to train more volunteers in amateur radio communication for disaster response. The move comes in the wake of disrupted communication links during the recent Nepal flash floods, which underscored the critical role of HAM radio when conventional networks fail.

What the MoU Entails

Under the agreement, the WBRC — an organisation of licensed amateur radio operators — will expand volunteer training through its affiliated Indian Academy of Communication and Disaster Management. Several civil defence volunteers from across West Bengal have already completed training and obtained licences to operate amateur radio sets. The new MoU accelerates this effort, with experts tasked to monitor trainees' ability to set up radio stations in remote and hard-to-reach areas.

Among those present at the signing were IPS officers Sanjay Singh and Debashis Sarkar from the Civil Defence Department, alongside senior functionaries of the WBRC.

Why HAM Radio Matters in Disaster Response

'During cyclones, floods and earthquakes, when conventional communication links get cut off, the HAMs play a crucial role in ensuring co-ordination between various teams engaged in rescue and relief efforts,' said Ambarish Nag Biswas, secretary of the WBRC. He added that all WBRC members hold the necessary licences and are capable of setting up radio stations within a short period using minimal equipment.

Subir Dutta, president of the WBRC, called the signing 'an extremely proud moment,' noting that amateur radio operators are now officially designated as lifesavers. 'While we have been doing this for a long time, the signing of the MoU recognises that role formally,' he said.

A Track Record Stretching Back Decades

The WBRC's disaster communication work first gained wide recognition during the 1999 Odisha Super Cyclone, when members reached remote areas, fixed temporary antennae to treetops, and restored vital communication links. In 2015, a WBRC team travelled to Nepal after a devastating earthquake and helped coordinate rescue agencies on the ground.

This year, a team was mobilised and ready to deploy to Nepal following the flash floods, but did not receive permission from the Nepalese government. Closer to home, WBRC teams have also maintained communication links at Sagar Island during the annual Gangasagar Mela — even before mobile connectivity reached the island — helping people in distress during the mass gathering.

Growing Outreach to Educational Institutions

The organisation's remit is expanding beyond disaster response. Several colleges and educational institutions have recently approached the WBRC to train students in wireless communication — covering how to obtain licences and operate independent radio stations. 'We have endeavoured to turn a hobby into a life-saving exercise. Today, our efforts are recognised across the country,' Nag Biswas said.

With the MoU in place, West Bengal becomes one of the few Indian states to institutionalise HAM radio as a formal pillar of its civil defence infrastructure — a model that other disaster-prone states may look to replicate.