Indian Scientists Tap Into Geoinformatics For Mapping Natural Hazards


In addition, these systems save time, are cost-effective and need less human resources when compared to physical surveys for big areas, for example, while developing state-wide reports, said Ghosh. Lauding the project, environmentalist P. K. Joshi, who has expertise in RS and GIS, said the information gleaned from a blend of such zonation data, with inputs from governmental agencies (like the Indian Meteorological Department) and non-governmental agencies can be conveyed directly to the people through cell phones that are nowadays geoinformatics-enabled.

Though geoinformatics encompass all the analysis done by IMD, there is a definite edge in mapping hazards, Joshi said. "It can help in retrieval and integration of many more biophysical parameters and provide more robust geo-statistical analysis. "Integration of other socio-economic data sets is much easier and powerful in a GIS environment which can directly feed the policy and decision makers," Joshi, head and professor, Department of Natural Resources at New Delhi's The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) University, told IANS via email.

"It could guide in rescue efforts in disasters of huge proportions, like Uttarakhand," he added. In addition, GIS is a "handy tool" for administrators to comprehend the spatial dimension of hazards, according to Chandan Ghosh, professor and head, Geo Hazards, at New Delhi's National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM). And if these maps, in scaled-down and detailed versions, are made available to district administrators, they can facilitate easy identification of roads and landmarks while planning for rescue operations, Chandan Ghosh reckoned.

"From such studies, what is needed the most is the preparation of 'live inundation map' or 'computer animation of virtual flood situation using rainfall and water flowing from adjoining water bodies'," Chandan Ghosh told IANS via email, adding it could enable officials to visualize a near-real situation of floods and help in marking danger and safe zones. At the heart of the matter and for large-scale policy making, there is a pressing need for a change in mindsets and accepting and adopting new vistas for efficient disaster management.

"Continuous study, analysis, formulation and updating of hazard zonation can maximize the preparedness strategy and minimize the cost and effort therein. Also, awareness and capacity-building regarding potential natural hazards in every level of stakeholder in the governance, society and industry are important," said Tuhin Ghosh.

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Source: IANS