Country Case Studies in ICT for Disaster Management

India

Renu Budhiraja Sr. Director, e-Governance

Department of Electronics & Information Technology Ministry of Communications & Information Technology

Government of India renu@gov.in

India - Unique Geo-Climatic Conditions

Earthquake • 54% of landmass is

prone to earthquakes

Flood • 40 million hectares of

landmass is prone to floods

Drought • Almost 68% of total

geographical area is vulnerable to droughts

Cyclone • 8000 km of coastline is

prone to cyclones

India is one of the worst flood-affected countries in the world and accounts for one fifth of global death count due to floods

more than 650 Earthquakes having magnitude above 5 on Richter scale have been recorded during the last one century

Disaster Events in India (1900 – 2009) Disaster Types

Decades

1900 -09

1910 -19

1920 -29

1930 -39

1940 -49

1950 -59

1960 -69

1970 -79

1980 -89

1990 -99

2000 -09

Total

Hydro-meteorological

28 72 56 72 120 232 463 776 1498 2034 3529 8880 78.4%

Geological 40 28 33 37 52 60 88 124 232 325 354 1373

12.1%

Biological 5 7 10 3 4 2 37 64 170 361 612 1275 11.3%

Total 73 107 99 112 176 294 388 964 1900 2720 4495 11328

ICT Interventions at Each Layer ICT Interventions

Radio / Television

• Oldest Communication method, Warning quickly to broad population. • Less reliable when struck with disaster at night

Telephone • Mobile has a very high usage in APAC (Approx. 50% population estimated by 2016)

• Good source for communication / planning/ warning/ rescue operations • SMS - a unique and fast way of broadcasting message to large group of

people (Used effectively in Katrina disaster in US in 2005)

Satellites • Effective way of communication both for warnings and recovery • Alternate to the local towers, which might get destroyed during a disaster

Internet / Email • Effective use of internet / email can certainly lead to safety of large number of lives and property

• A very structured way of communication / dissemination of information • Depends on penetration of broadband / internet users

ICT Interventions at Each Layer ICT Interventions Centralised Database / Applications

• Central source and online inventory of emergency sources at a single point for all the entities of the ecosystem

• Easily accessible and can be updated regularly • Interface can be available on all types of devices – Desktops /

Laptops / Mobiles / PDAs/ Tablets GIS • A multi-layered platform which can be utilised for making Decisions

• Can provide critical information with respect to hazard zoning, incident mapping, natural resources and critical infrastructure at risk, available resources for response, real time satellite imagery etc.

Social Media The biggest leap and advancement of usage of ICT, which can be very effectively used

in Disaster aversion, planning, warning, rescue and recovery. o

f Prime Minister of Nepal came to know about the recent earthquake through a twitter by Prime Minister of India – Shri. Narendra Modi

Facebook started special 'Safety Check' feature for Nepal Earthquake

Cloud & Big Data for Disaster Management

• Cloud can be leveraged to house large applications on Disaster inventory, tools etc

• Big data can help in crisis mapping – using archived information as well as real-time information

coming from sources such as sensors, satellites, photos, videos, cell phone GPS signals, etc.

– Social data can be analyzed to provide a detailed, real-time map of displaced people, fatalities, and damages to properties

• The right tools and coordinated effort can predict the imminent occurrence of disaster before it occurs

GOI Initiatives

• Disaster Management Act, India, 2005 • Institutional mechanism • National Disaster Management Framework • ICT interventions

Disaster Management Act,2005

Institutional Mechanism NDMA, SDMA, DDMA NEOC,SEOC NDRF

Capacity Development NIDM Other institutions

Civil Defence Fire Services Home Guards

National Disaster Management Framework • Drawn up by the Ministry of Home Affairs

• Covers the prime sectors – Institutional mechanisms at all administrative levels

– Disaster mitigation/prevention to be mainstreamed into the development process

– Envisaged legal/policy framework, early warning systems, preparedness & emergency response measures and human resource development

• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has joined hands in this effort of Government of India – Implementing GoI-UNDP Disaster Risk Management (DRM) program

in 169 most vulnerable Districts of 17 States in India

National level ICT Initiatives

India Disaster Resource Network (IDRN)

GIS in Disaster Management

National Emergency Communication Plan

India Disaster Resource Network (IDRN)

Initiated by Ministry of Home Affairs in collaboration with United Nations Development Program

India Disaster Resource Network (IDRN) ABOUT IDRN • IDRN is a web based platform, for managing inventory of equipment,

skilled human resources and critical supplies for emergency response. • Enable decision makers to find answers on availability of equipment

and human resources & assess the level of preparedness for specific disasters.

HOW IDRN WORKS? The online inventory of resources is hosted centrally at the national level in a National Data Center & maintained at the central level by National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM).

• Only the authorized Government officers have the access UPDATE DATA IN IDRN ?

District Collectors/Magistrate are the authorized officials to get the latest information and upload, using services of District Informatics Officers.

CII- more than 5000 members

BAI- more than 33000 members

Corporate Sector

India Disaster Resource Network (IDRN)

Open Policies

• Open Data Sharing & Access Policy • Open API Policy • Open Source Policy • Collaborative application development by

opening the Source Code

GIS in Disaster Management • The Ministry of Home Affairs have initiated the development of a GIS-

based National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM) in collaboration with various Govt. Ministries/agencies

• BHUVAN is single largest Web GIS portal for free data and services over India from ISRO allows 3D visualization, 2D visualization, street map overlays, WMS services for land use and land cover, flood inundation (events wise rapid assessment and annual inundation, geohazards, forest fire (daily), free RS data download, free 30m DEM from Cartosat-1 data etc

• NIC has developed a multi layered GIS platform

• States have build Geo-informatics decision support systems. National GIS project conceptualised by India Government under Digital India

National Database for Emergency Management

• GIS based national database and application of geospatial technologies by MHA – Database organization including National level core geo-spatial

data at 1:50,000 scale, Hazard specific data for multi-hazard prone districts at 1:50,000 scale, Database for multi-hazard prone cities/ towns at 1:10,000 scale, Database for major cities (~5nos) at 1:2,000 scale

• Development of Decision support tools for addressing emergency management

• Institutional mechanism for sharing & updating database on continuous basis and Mirroring / Replica of databases at MHA

• Dissemination through NEOC & SEOC during Emergency

National Emergency Communication network, Ministry of Home Affairs

• Provide communication links between National, State & District Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) as well as Mobile and Transportable EOCs for deployment at emergency / disaster sites

• For a fail-safe communication during emergency, portable satellite phones with solar chargeable battery packs for deployment during disasters.

• The DTH based Disaster Warning Dissemination System (DWDS) is a customized Set-top box for dissemination of Disaster warnings

ISRO, DOS Disaster Management Programme

• The Decision Support Centre (DSC) is the single window delivery point for aerial and space enabled inputs together with other important data layers for its use in disaster management of pre-disaster, during-disaster and post-disaster phases.

• Operations are Disaster information collection, Data Acquisition, processing, and transfer to DSC, Data analysis, Output Generation & Dissemination to user via VSAT, FTP, Web page, E-mail etc

• For online transfer of space enabled inputs to the State and Central government user departments, a VSAT based satellite communication network has been put in place.

Hazard Forecast & Warning Network

Purpose

Flood forecasting and Warning Network

This is based on hydro-meteorological data recorded by observers. Forecast is disseminated using computer networks and satellite (Internet, e-mail, VSAT).

INSAT Based Distress Alert Transmitter for Fishing Boats

Transmitter sends different types of emergency signals for fire, boat sinking, man overboard or medical help on manual activation.

VHF Radio Communication System for Fishermen Community in Tamil Nadu

Fishermen carry VHF sets to establish voice calls between the crafts and send their position data to the shore station

Cyclone Forecasting and Warning Network

Radars and satellite imagery are used in detecting the development and movement of Tropical Cyclones over oceanic regions.

Dedicated Hazard Forecasting and Warning Networks in India

* Source : National Disaster Management Authority

Hazard Forecast & Warning Network

Purpose

Seismological Observations Network

Seismological observations are made through a national network of Seismic Stations. These stations have collected data over long periods of time, which can be used for proactive Hazard Risk Analysis for mitigation effort.

Drought Warning Network The drought assessment is based on a comparative evaluation of satellite observed green vegetation cover of a district in any specific time period, with that of any similar period in previous years.

Tsunami Warning Network Indian tsunami warning system operates using 3 tiers, e.g., ‘watch’, ‘alert’ and ‘warning’ depending on size and continuity of waves detected.

Dedicated Hazard Forecasting and Warning Networks in India

* Source : National Disaster Management Authority

Other Telecommunication Network of Various Service Providers/ Government Agencies

Telecommunication Network National Emergency Communication Plan (NECP), Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India

Disaster Management Support (DMS), Network of ISRO Police Telecommunication Network, (POLNET) National Informatics Centre (NICNET), Infrastructure State Wide Area Network (SWAN) Railway Communication Network BSNL Communication Network Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL), Network Network of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) Common Services Center (CSC) The National Knowledge Network Emergency Planning and Response System, Ministry of Environment & Forest

* Source : National Disaster Management Authority

• Flood Management Information System helped in deriving 200 maps using real time satellite data.

• This data showed that the dynamics of the river course changes in every 3-4 days.

• Analysis supported the decision makers and response teams on the ground.

Flood in Kosi River, Bihar, 2008

• Sahana Disaster Management System provides solutions to the problems arising in post-disaster situation.

• It helped in tracing missing persons and coordinating with the donor groups. It also recorded the locations of temporary camps and shelters.

Indian Ocean Tsunami, 2004

Case Studies – Use of ICT in Disaster Management

Case Studies – Use of ICT in Disaster Management

• 73 information centers in 12 districts of state of Odisha • Early warning dissemination, information on disaster preparedness, agriculture,

governance, health, etc. • Self sustaining models in partnership with Village Panchayats, NGOs,

community. • Facilitated by local and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan volunteers.

Odisha Experience - Community Level

• SETU Information Management System • A nodal point for facilitation of the rehabilitation process in Kutch area for a

defined geographical cluster of 15-20 villages • A network of 22 such centers across 10 Talukas • Acts as a coordination cell for relief and rehab in a cluster • Village community uploads information and feedback about ongoing projects

and activities, base line resources, etc. • Access information about schemes, entitlements, technical knowhow in various

areas

Gujarat Experience - Community Level

Mobile App for Cyclone Hudhud • Government of Andhra Pradesh, with the help of

National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), launched an Android app for a crowdsourcing project where people could upload photos from their smartphones

• Over 3,000 downloads of the app were recorded • The uploaded pictures were automatically

integrated with NRSA data and helped the government in assessing the damages and mobilizing required men and material to reach to the last point

• GIS, GPS and remote sensing technologies used to spot the damages

• Government engaged four satellites to monitor cyclone - RI Sat1, RISat2, Radar Sat and Resource Sat2

Mobile Apps Developed by National Remote Sensing Centre (India)

1. Bhuvan App – Allowed sharing of damage details post Nepal Earthquake

2. Event Reporting App – Integrated SMS based mobile solution enabling authenticated

users to report disaster events for visualization and analysis 3. Relief Management App

– Mobile application integrated with web GIS – Collects geo-referenced information from disaster location with

field photographs – Information is uploaded in real time on web portal for

visualization & acknowledgement sent to the user

Mobile Apps Developed by National Remote Sensing Centre (India)

4. Indian Railway Accident Management Application – Android mobile application for reporting the first hand information

from the accident site along with the photographs for assessing the cause and scenario of the accident in GIS environment

5. Application for Generation of Geospatial Datasets – Mobile application for locating & adding attribute information of

essential amenities with aid of online maps and retrieval of information at the time of emergencies

6. App for Collection of Field Data on Emergency Facilities – Real time data collection on GPS coordinates, digital photos & user

specified parameters and transmission from field to central processing server

Key Submissions • Centralised Portal for APAC for Disaster Management

• Establish best practices for emergency preparedness with process using Local as well as National bodies

• Encourage information / resource sharing across regions and countries

• Institutional Strengthening at APAC level and capacity building including e-Learning tools

• Standardisation and Upscaling of Telecommunication and IT Infrastructure

• Telecommunication companies to arrange adequate number of mobile BTS towers for immediately restoring the telecommunication facilities in the aftermath of disaster

• Build a system to register/ regulate the tourists so that they can be effectively traced in disasters

• Use Social Media as a necessary tool – Facebook / Twitter / Linkedin / Whatsapp forums

Thank You

Other Mobile Apps for Disaster Management Disaster Alert • Disaster Alert, by Pacific Disaster Center, provides an

interactive map and a list of disasters as they occur around the globe

• It has collection of current and real-time incidents which have been designated "potentially hazardous to people, property, or assets" by the PDC DisasterAWARE™ application

DRS • Provides aggregates and makes available crowded sourced

data from individuals caught in natural or man-made disasters

• The smart phone based app offers individuals to quickly report their location and situation, along with any photos they may wish to add, to a command center

• The data and the location is plotted on a large screen map allowing private or Government based Rescue Teams to quickly dispatch assistance to their location

Other Mobile Apps for Disaster Management

ubAlert - Disaster Alert • A global social network that operates to save lives by

sharing the knowledge of the world's citizens with those in danger

• Alerts contain basic event details, impact statistics, maps, images, videos, and more.

• One can instantly share alerts with friends and family members to get them out of harm’s way via email, Facebook and Twitter

The Ecosystem

DRM Ecosystem

Govt. Authorities

Warning Centres

Fire, Water and Civil Amenities

Public Services

Amenities

Public Address System

Local Bodies

Defence Support System

Information Systems Framework for Disaster Management

Planning & Policy Decision for Disaster Preparedness & Mitigation

• Hazard mapping & Vulnerability Assessment

• Database of disaster history for trend & pattern analysis

• Database of disaster management plan

• Awareness & training materials

• Inventory of legal, techno legal, administrative and institutional framework

Quick Emergency Response & Recovery

• Human & material response resources database

• Database of Infrastructure, lifelines & critical facilities

• Database of trained human resources

• Demographic information • GIS based information system

Disaster Management Act, India, 2005

Disaster means a catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence affecting any area from natural and manmade causes, or by accident or negligence which results in

– substantial loss of life or – human suffering or – damage to, and destruction of property, or – damage to, or degradation of environment – and is of such a nature and magnitude as to be beyond the

capacity of the community of the affected areas

Major Losses in India due to Disasters ( 2001-2013)

Year Lives Lost

Cattle Lost

Houses damaged

Cropped area affected (in lakh Ha)

2001-02 834 21,269 3,46,878 18.72

2002-03 898 3,729 4,62,700 21.00

2003-04 1,992 25,393 6,82,209 31.98

2004-05 1,995 12,389 16,03,300 32.53

2005-06 2,698 1,10,997 21,20,012 35.52

2006-07 2,402 4,55,619 19,34,680 70.87

2007-08 3,764 1,19,218 35,27,041 85.13

2008-09 3,405 53,833 16,46,905 35.56

2009-10 1,677 1,28,452 13,59,726 47.13

2010-11 2,310 48,778 13,38,619 46.25

2011-12 1,600 9,126 8,76,168 18.87

2012-13 984 24,360 6,71,761 15.34

2013-14 5,677 1,02,998 12,10,227 63.74

Role of ICT in Disaster Management • To catalyze the process of preparedness, response and mitigation

• Providing access to vital information on Disaster preparedness to

citizens

• GIS based decision support system for planning

• Designing early warning system

• Emergency communication for timely relief & response measures

• Building Knowledge Warehouses to facilitate planning and policy

making

GIS – Risk & Capacity Analysis for Delhi

Some Recent Disasters Gujarat Earthquake -

2001 20,000 people killed,

167,000 wounded, 400,000 homes destroyed

Indian Ocean Tsunami - 2004

230,000 people died in 14 countries including India

Uttarakhand Flood - 2013

5,700 people presumed dead

Bihar Flood - 2013 201 people lost their

lives

Drought in Maharashtra – 2013

9 million farmers impacted

Malin (Maharashtra) Landslide - 2014

More than 150 deaths, about 100 missing, 40 houses

damaged

Jammu & Kashmir Flood - 2014

Nearly 277 people died

Cyclone Hudhud - 2014 124 causalities, estimated

damages of US$ 3.5 billion

Nepal Earthquake - 2015

Over 7000 death toll, approx. US$2 bn needed to

reconstruct. *figures still rising

NDMA website