Guwahati students display the Brahmaputa project at the ongoing science fair. Picture by S.H. Patgiri

Guwahati, Jan. 23: Two schoolchildren in the Assam capital have developed an inexpensive scientific model that is being touted as the prototype of a comprehensive flood alarm-cum-communication system for the inaccessible areas of the state’s rural belt.

The model comprises a pair of sensors placed under water. The moment the water level rises above the pre-specified mark, the sensors glow and start beeping. That is the cue for a calamity warning to be relayed to the control centre through an FM transmitter with a range of 50 metres.

Kapinjal Kishore Sharma and Rahul Agarwal of Vivekananda Academy, Maligaon, have appropriately named their work Project Brahmaputra. The duo, whose creation is on display at a fair organised by the Khanapara-based Regional Science Centre in association with the Assam Science Society, described their model as an idea for bigger applications.

The budding scientists themselves drew inspiration from two Calcutta-based engineers who tried out a similar experiment on the bank of the Pagladia in Nalbari district.

“We spent only Rs 900 in building this model, which can be improved upon for application in real-life situations. For instance, it can be used as a flood-alarm system in areas that do not have a reliable mode of communication,” Kapinjal said.

Apart from Project Brahmaputra, a low-cost electronic surveillance system is hogging all the attention at the science fair. The model’s creator, Subhamoy Sengupta, said he used an ordinary web camera and a personal computer to develop it.

As many as 35 models by students from 30 schools of the state have been displayed at the fair. The best three models will be taken to a zonal competition.

A cash award in memory of Tulika Das will be given to the creator of the most original model, while three winners and their schools will be rewarded by the Petroleum Conservation Research Association.