Natural disasters and catastrophes bring to light major dares for federal controls and local authorities. Earthquakes, floods, cyclones, epidemics, tsunamis, and landslides have become of regular occurrence many parts of the world, continually taking a heavy toll of life and property. Under serious disaster conditions, the major task for establishments is the protection of life (both human and animal), property, and the dynamic life-supporting infrastructure necessary for disaster alleviation. To give an edge in preparing and management of disasters, GIS technology could provide a crucial inputs for preparing a decision support and management system for authorities at times of disaster-related crises.



Over the past few eons, Space expertise and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Applications have become obligatory part of the modern information civilization. As the frequency of disasters become more and more regular and penetrating, the demand for these technologies is swelling in order to save lives, to minimize economic losses and to build resilience of the disaster affected region. It is imperious that the policymakers and decision makers make determined efforts to widen and expand the use of space technology and GIS applications in catastrophe prone areas to diminish the effect of disasters.

ROLE OF GIS TECHNOLOGY

GIS technology is a crucial component of information, communication, and space technologies (ICST), enabled disaster controlling systems because it remains predominantly untouched during disasters unlike in the instance of both information and communication technologies which are based on ground arrangement are wide-open to natural disasters.

The scope of GIS in disaster administration is as follows:

A large volume of data can be collected.

Data collection can be focused across a widespread area.

Data accuracy can fit in to the purpose of application.

Transfer of data is more consistent and safe even during disasters.

Communication is faster in various locations.

Communication is reliable across a wide area and remote distances.

TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS

The wide continuum of ICSTs used in disaster alertness, alleviation, and supervision include:

Airborne Remote sensing;

Geographical Information System (GIS);

Global Positioning System (GPS);

Satellite navigation system;

Internet, e-mail; and

Special software packages, on-line management databases, disaster information networks.

Range of Applications

The following phases of Disaster management areas are the point of interest for professionals who hinge on ICSTs for critical solutions.

Database generation

Information assimilation and analysis

Disaster charting and consequence simulation

Hazard valuation and observing

Disaster tendency forecasting

Susceptibility assessment

Emergency response decision support

Logistics preparation for disaster relief

Needs calculation for disaster reclamation and reconstruction

Risk analysis and assessment

Data integration is one of the strongest points of GIS. In general the following types of data are required:

Data on the disastrous phenomena (e.g. landslides, floods, earthquakes), their location, frequency, magnitude etc.

Data on the environment in which the disastrous events might take place: topography, geology, geo-morphology, soils, hydrology, land use, vegetation etc.

Data on the elements that might be destroyed if the event takes place: infrastructure, settlements, population, socio-economic data etc.

Data on the emergency relief resources, such as hospitals, fire brigades, police stations, warehouses etc.

When an emergency strike an area, the already amassed spatial data can be effectively used to combat the disaster. Unfolding impact influence area, marking of areas in harm’s way and mass notification can be possible through GIS. Optimizing shelters, routings, estimating effected population and property, assessing quantity of relief materials, advance warnings to nearby possibly affected areas etc will be ease out with the help of GIS

GIS will act as a central database repository during the recovery phase of a disaster. GIS coupled with remote sensing will act as an apt tool in assessment of damage and losses incurred. These kind of spatial data assessment give information on the extent of damage to individual properties and aerial coverage of the damage. This will enable the planners and decision makers to estimate the reconstructions cost, prioritizing the areas for development.