Introduction

India is increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather events driven by climate change, including floods, landslides, cloudbursts, and heatwaves. These disasters result in loss of life, destruction of infrastructure, disruption of livelihoods, and long-term ecological damage. According to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), India witnessed extreme weather events on over 300 days per year between 2022 and 2024. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects further intensification of monsoons, heatwaves, and floods in the coming years. Therefore, there is an urgent need to harness modern technologies for disaster management and climate resilience.

Spatial Overview of Extreme Events

• Regional Vulnerability: Northern plains, central India, and Himalayan regions are highly susceptible to floods, landslides, and heatwaves due to topography and climate dynamics.

• Recent Examples:

  • Wayanad landslide and Dharali mudslides in Uttarakhand.

  • Floods in Punjab, Bihar, Assam; waterlogging in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru.

  • Marathwada experienced 128% of normal monsoon rainfall, despite being historically drought-prone.

• Consequences: Damage to cropped land, housing, livestock, infrastructure, and increased human casualties.

Causes and Consequences of Extreme Weather

• Primary Drivers: Climate change, warming temperatures, and erratic rainfall patterns.

• Secondary Factors: Unplanned urbanisation, deforestation, inadequate infrastructure, and socio-economic vulnerabilities.

• Impact:

  • Flash floods destroy public infrastructure like roads and hydropower projects.

  • Psychological trauma in affected communities.

  • Increased energy demands and reduced labour productivity due to heatwaves.

• Challenges in Monitoring:

  • Limited weather stations, especially in Himalayan regions.

  • Fragmented and inconsistent disaster data across states.

  • Limited access to high-resolution satellite imagery.

Role of Technology in Disaster Management

Remote Sensing (RS)

• Definition: Acquiring information about Earth’s surface via satellites, drones, or aircraft without direct contact.

• Capabilities:

  • Captures data across visible and non-visible spectra (infrared, thermal, microwave).

  • Enables real-time monitoring of floods, landslides, heat anomalies, and vegetation health.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

• Definition: Computer-based systems for storing, analyzing, and visualizing spatial data.

• Applications:

  • Hazard mapping and vulnerability assessment.

  • Tracking land use and environmental changes over time.

  • Predictive modelling for disaster preparedness.

Integration of RS and GIS

• Modern Disaster Management:

  • Real-time locational intelligence for quick response.

  • Drone-assisted RS provides detailed local area insights.

  • Example: Mission Mausam integrates satellite data with GIS-based decision support for timely warnings.

• International Collaboration: NASA and ISRO’s NISAR satellite monitors land and ice surface changes globally, helping predict natural disasters with high accuracy.

Building Climate Resilience

• Shift in Policy Approach: From reactive disaster relief to proactive risk reduction and preparedness.

• Frameworks and Guidelines:

  • Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction emphasizes managing disaster risks rather than disasters themselves.

• Future Measures:

  • Deployment of high-resolution, frequently revisiting satellites.

  • Development of integrated, real-time data systems for monitoring loss and damage.

  • Cross-boundary policies based on geographic realities.

• Transformative Role of AI: Enhances predictive capabilities, supports evidence-based policymaking, and enables efficient allocation of resources.

Conclusion

Harnessing technologies like Remote Sensing, GIS, and AI is critical for effective disaster management in India. By integrating these tools into policy and practice, India can shift from reactive disaster response to proactive climate resilience. A comprehensive, inclusive, and technology-driven approach will protect lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure while addressing the escalating challenges posed by climate change.

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