UNIT-IV

Role of Technology in Disaster Managements: Disaster management for infra structures, taxonomy of
infra structure – treatment plants and process facilities-electrical substations roads and bridges- mitigation
programme for earth quakes – flowchart, geospatial information in agriculture drought assessment -
Multimedia Technology in disaster risk management and training - Transformable Indigenous
Knowledge in disaster reduction – Role of RS & GIS.

The Role of Remote Sensing and GIS in Disaster Response and Management
Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) technologies are playing an increasingly
important role in disaster response and management. Disasters such as floods, wildfires, earthquakes, and
hurricanes are becoming more frequent and severe, and these technologies can provide valuable
information to emergency responders and decision-makers in such situations.

GIS involves the collection, analysis, and interpretation of spatial data, while RS is the acquisition and
interpretation of data from remote sources such as satellites, drones, or aircraft. Together, these
technologies can provide a detailed and accurate picture of the disaster and its impact, allowing decision-
makers to make more informed and effective decisions.

GIS and RS can be used to identify and map vulnerable areas, monitor disasters in real-time, plan
evacuation routes, assess damage, and plan recovery. In addition, these technologies can help emergency
responders coordinate their efforts more efficiently, enabling them to provide aid to affected areas more
quickly and effectively.

Identify and Map Vulnerable Areas

GIS can be used to identify and map areas that are at risk of disasters such as floods, wildfires, and
landslides. This information can be used to develop mitigation plans and help prioritize rescue and relief
efforts.

GIS and remote sensing can be used to identify and map vulnerable areas that are at risk of disasters.
Here are some ways in which this can be done:

 Use satellite imagery: Satellite imagery can be used to identify areas that are at risk of disasters
such as floods, landslides, and wildfires. These images can help identify areas that are prone to
flooding due to their proximity to rivers or other water bodies, or areas that are at risk of
landslides due to steep slopes.
 Analyze historical data: Historical data on past disasters can be analyzed to identify areas that
are at high risk of future disasters. For example, if an area has experienced multiple floods in the
past, it may be at a higher risk of flooding in the future.
 Conduct field surveys: Field surveys can be conducted to collect data on the physical
characteristics of an area, such as the topography and soil type, which can be used to identify
areas that are vulnerable to disasters. For example, areas with steep slopes or loose soil may be at
a higher risk of landslides.
 Use GIS software: GIS software can be used to analyze data on the physical characteristics of an
area, such as elevation, slope, and land use, to identify areas that are at risk of disasters. For
example, areas with high population density, critical infrastructure such as hospitals or power
plants, or areas with limited evacuation routes may be more vulnerable to disasters.

Monitor Disasters in Real-Time

RS can provide real-time imagery and data about disasters as they unfold, which can be used to track the
progression of the disaster and identify areas that are most affected. This information can be used to
direct rescue and relief efforts more efficiently.
GIS and remote sensing can be used to monitor disasters in real-time, providing decision-makers with up-
to-date information on the disaster as it unfolds. Here are some ways in which this can be done:

 Satellite imagery: Satellite imagery can be used to monitor the extent of a disaster as it occurs.
For example, satellite imagery can be used to track the path of a hurricane or monitor the
progression of a wildfire.
 Drones: Drones can be used to capture real-time images and video of a disaster as it unfolds. This
information can be used to assess the extent of the damage, identify areas that are most affected,
and plan for recovery.
 Social media: Social media can be used to monitor disasters in real-time. For example, users can
post photos and videos of the disaster as it occurs, providing decision-makers with up-to-date
information on the disaster.
 Sensor networks: Sensor networks can be used to monitor environmental conditions such as
temperature, humidity, and air quality in real-time. This information can be used to assess the
impact of the disaster on the environment and on public health.
Real-time monitoring of disasters can help decision-makers make more informed and effective decisions,
and allocate resources more efficiently. For example, emergency responders can be deployed to areas that
are most affected, and aid efforts can be prioritized based on the extent of the damage.

Plan Evacuation Routes

GIS and remote sensing can be used to plan evacuation routes in the event of a disaster. Here are some
ways in which this can be done:

 Use GIS software: GIS software can be used to analyze the physical characteristics of an area,
such as the road network, topography, and population density, to identify potential evacuation
routes. For example, GIS can be used to identify major roads that can accommodate large
volumes of traffic, or to identify routes that avoid areas that are prone to flooding or landslides.
 Conduct field surveys: Field surveys can be conducted to collect data on the physical
characteristics of an area, such as the condition of roads and bridges, which can be used to
identify potential evacuation routes.
 Use real-time data: Real-time data on the location and severity of a disaster can be used to adjust
evacuation routes as needed. For example, if a wildfire changes direction, GIS and remote sensing
can be used to quickly identify new evacuation routes.
 Test the routes: Once potential evacuation routes have been identified, they can be tested to
ensure that they are feasible and effective. For example, emergency responders can simulate an
evacuation to identify potential bottlenecks or other obstacles.

Assess Damage and Plan Recovery

After a disaster, GIS and RS can be used to assess the extent of the damage and prioritize recovery
efforts. This information can help decision-makers allocate resources to the most affected areas and plan
for long-term recovery.

 Use satellite imagery: Satellite imagery can be used to assess the extent of damage caused by a
disaster. For example, satellite imagery can be used to identify areas that have been affected by
floods, landslides, or wildfires.
 Use drones: Drones can be used to capture detailed images and video of the damage caused by a
disaster. This information can be used to assess the extent of the damage and plan for recovery
efforts.
 Conduct field surveys: Field surveys can be conducted to collect data on the physical
characteristics of the area affected by the disaster. This information can be used to assess the
damage to critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and buildings.
 Use real-time data: Real-time data on the location and severity of the disaster can be used to
adjust recovery efforts as needed. For example, if a wildfire is still burning, GIS and remote
sensing can be used to identify areas that are still at risk and adjust recovery efforts accordingly.
  Develop recovery plans: Once the extent of the damage has been assessed, recovery plans can be
developed using GIS and remote sensing. For example, GIS can be used to identify areas that are
most in need of aid, or to plan the reconstruction of critical infrastructure such as roads and
bridges.

The Role of GIS and Remote Sensing in Disaster Response and Management Examples

 Flood management: In the aftermath of a flood, GIS and RS can be used to assess the extent of
the damage, identify areas that are most affected, and plan for recovery. In the case of the 2011
Thailand floods, for example, GIS and RS were used to map the extent of the flooding and help
emergency responders prioritize aid efforts.
 Wildfire management: GIS and RS can be used to track the progression of a wildfire in real-
time, identify areas that are most at risk, and plan evacuation routes. In the case of the 2020
California wildfires, GIS and RS were used to map the extent of the fire and help emergency
responders plan their response.
 Earthquake management: GIS and RS can be used to identify areas that are most at risk of
earthquakes, map the extent of the damage, and plan for recovery. In the case of the 2010 Haiti
earthquake, GIS and RS were used to map the extent of the damage and help emergency
responders prioritize aid efforts.

The Role of GIS and Remote Sensing in Disaster Response and Management Solutions

 Rapid data collection and analysis: GIS and remote sensing can be used to collect and analyze
data quickly and efficiently. This can be especially important in the early stages of a disaster,
when accurate and timely information is critical for decision-making.
 Improved situational awareness: GIS and remote sensing can be used to create detailed maps
and visualizations of the disaster area, providing decision-makers with a better understanding of
the situation on the ground. This can help identify areas that are most in need of aid, and can help
emergency responders allocate resources more effectively.
 Enhanced communication and coordination: GIS and remote sensing can be used to share
information with a range of stakeholders, including emergency responders, government agencies,
and the public. This can help improve coordination among different organizations and promote a
more effective and coordinated response.
 Planning and preparedness: GIS and remote sensing can be used to identify and map vulnerable
areas, plan evacuation routes, and develop recovery plans. This can help reduce the impact of a
disaster and promote a more effective response.
 Real-time monitoring: GIS and remote sensing can be used to monitor disasters in real-time,
providing decision-makers with up-to-date information on the disaster as it unfolds. This can help
emergency responders adjust their response efforts as needed, and can help ensure that aid is
directed to where it is needed most.

https://geographicbook.com/the-role-of-gis-and-remote-sensing-in-disaster-response-and-management/