Uttarakhand: India’s first state to release earthquake alert app

This software will send out early warning messages to users in Uttarakhand prior to the earthquake, as well as assist in locating those who would become trapped during the earthquake and alerting the appropriate authorities.

NEW DELHI — Uttarakhand is the first state in the country to launch the ‘Uttarakhand Bhookamp Alert’ earthquake alert app.

The software was introduced on Wednesday by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and is available for download on both Android and iOS devices. The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority and the Indian Institute of Technology-Roorkee collaborated on the app.

This software will send out early warning messages to users prior to the earthquake, as well as assist in locating those who would become trapped during the earthquake and alerting the appropriate authorities.

“Because Uttarakhand is an earthquake-prone state, this app will assist the authorities in carrying out rescue operations in the event of an earthquake,” Dhami said during the app’s release.

“Launched ‘Uttarakhand Bhookamp Alert’ app, designed to get early warning of earthquake. Uttarakhand has become the first state in the country to take such an initiative,” the chief minister tweeted. He added, “Through this, the location of people can be obtained during an earthquake, which will help in immediate public safety.”

Dhami further instructed the officials to promote public knowledge about the app and to develop a short video about it to be shown in schools and other palces to raise awareness.

He also suggested to the relevant authorities that the app include capabilities such as notifying individuals who do not have a smartphone and different forms of alerting for different scenarios.

The event was also attended by Disaster Management Minister Dhan Singh Rawat, Chief Secretary Dr. S.S. Sandhu, and a number of other officials.