Geo-informatics in Disaster

Management
UNIT 3
Introduction
• Geoinformatics has been described as "the science and technology dealing with
the structure and character of spatial (relating to space) information, its capture,
its classification, its storage, processing, portrayal and dissemination, including the
infrastructure necessary to secure optimal use of this information”. Geomatics is a
similarly used term which encompasses geoinformatics, but geomatics focuses
more so on surveying.
• Geoinformatics has at its core the technologies supporting the processes of
acquisition, analysis and visualization of spatial data (any type of data that directly
or indirectly references a specific geographic area).
• GIS also favours an interdisciplinary approach to the solution of problems. Going
beyond conventional spreadsheet and database tables, it helps us discover and
visualize new data patterns and relationships which would have otherwise
remained invisible.
• Many fields benefit from geoinformatics, including urban planning and land use
management, in-car navigation systems, virtual globes, land surveying, public
health, military, agriculture, meteorology and climate change, business location
planning, telecommunications, aviation, biodiversity conservation and maritime
transport. 
• Geoinformatics becomes very important technology to decision-makers across a
wide range of disciplines, industries, sectors and agencies. Many government and
non government agencies started to use spatial data for managing their day-to-
day activities.
• Geo-informatics, which combines satellite geodesy (Geodesy is the science of
accurately measuring and understanding three fundamental properties of the
Earth: its geometric shape, its orientation in space, and its gravity field— as well
as the changes of these properties with time.), information technology and
Geographical Information System (GIS), are comparatively new technologies
which can assist in all phases of disaster and disaster management viz. (1)
prediction, (2) prevention, monitoring and warning system (3) assessment of
damages and (4) post-disaster management.
• Despite the tremendous potential of Geo-informatics applications in disaster
management the technology is yet to be used optimally by the decision makers.
Ironically Geo-informatics is yet limited in our country as a research subject.
• Geo-informatics constituting Remote Sensing, GIS (Geographical Information
System) and GPS (Global Positioning Service) are very effective tools for
forecasting, monitoring and assessment of pre, during and post disasters in a
particular region by utilizing prior information and developing appropriate
strategies.
• For example use of spatial information to make decisions regarding targeting the
affected population, demarcating the affected area, relief material distribution
and holistic management.
• Search and rescue teams used GPS, GIS and remote sensing technology to create
maps of the disaster areas for rescue and aid operations, as well as to assess
damage. Another important area of disaster relief is in the management of
wildfires.
Importance of geoinformatics
• Big geospatial (relating to location) and temporal (relating to time) data has become
infused into many aspects of our daily lives. Analysis of such data is used, for
example, to better understand and manage natural and built environments,
investigate the spread of disease, locate services, guide route selection or mine the
big data of social media to understand human behaviour, mobility and
communication patterns. In response, worldwide expenditures on geospatial
technologies are large and rapidly increasing.
• Geoinformatics has emerged as a field of study that is focused on basic questions
about the acquisition, storage, management, analysis and visualization of geographic
information within Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Geoinformatics
researchers develop new computational, visual, analytical, and statistical methods to
process, analyze and understand big geospatial and temporal data.
• Through the development of new theories and methodological tools, geoinformatics
helps to support basic scientific inquiry as well as help address complex social and
environmental challenges (e.g., climate change, public health, migration,
transportation safety, and security).
• Geoinformatics research contributes to the development of various location-aware technologies
such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS), the Internet of Things ( the term IoT refers to the
collective network of connected devices and the technology that facilitates communication
between devices and the cloud, as well as between the devices themselves), mobile sensors,
and remote sensing,
• Applied geoinformatics, in the form of geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing
software, is used to support research in an increasingly wide range of disciplines that includes
the arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, health sciences, and engineering.
• The growing importance of geoinformatics beyond academia is evidenced not only by the
proliferation of location-based services offered as phone and tablet apps and used by
consumers everywhere, but also by the prominent role it plays in the daily activities of
government agencies and private enterprises throughout the world
• The realm of Geoinformatics is very broad because it comprises of subjects like Remote sensing,
GPS, GIS, cartography, hydrology, climatology, Aerial photography, photogrammetry etc.
Tools/Branches of Geoinformatics

1. GIS
2. GPS

3. Remote sensing- It is the science of obtaining information about objects or

areas from a distance, typically from aircraft or satellites. It collects data by
detecting the reflected energy from the Earth. It has wide range of application
such as monitoring of ocean circulation and current systems; measuring the
temperature and wave height of ocean; track hurricanes, earthquakes, erosion,
and flooding; monitor land use, map wetlands, and chart wildlife habitats

4. Geodesy: It is that branch of geology which studies the shape of the earth and
the determination of the exact position of geographical points.
5. Photogrammetry: It refers to the method of surveying or map making by
photography and also used in determining the height and motions of clouds,
sea waves. It describes from three words- 'photo-light'; 'gram-drawing';
‘metry-measurement'.

6. Spatial Analysis: It is a technique to study the patterns of human behaviour and

its spatial expression in terms of topological, geometric and geographic
properties.

7. Web Mapping: It is the process of using the maps delivered by geographic

information systems (GIS) in World Wide Web.

8. Global Navigation Satellite Systems: It is that branch of geoinformatics that

provide precise positioning of anything on the surface of the planet. It is used
in satellites, military defence and telecommunication.
Application of geoinformatics

1.It is used for urban planning and land use management.

2.It is used for car navigation.
3.It is used for creating virtual globes.
4.It is used for environmental modelling and analysis.
5.It is used in agriculture, meteorology and to study the climate change.
6.It is used for oceanography and atmosphere modelling.
7.It is used in telecommunications, criminology and crime simulation.
8.It is used in aviation, biodiversity conservation and maritime transport.
9.It is used in disaster risk management.
• Hence, we can say that Geoinformatics is one of the powerful
technologies of the 21st century. This is totally data driven that
helps to support basic scientific inquiry as well as address the
complex social and environmental challenges. It becomes very
important technology to decision-makers across a wide range of
disciplines such as computer science, information technology,
software engineering, biogeography, geography, conservation,
architecture, spatial analysis and reinforcement learning.
The Role of geo-informatics in disaster response and emergency rescue
operations are follows:

• pre-assessment of the incident area,

• identifying the area for early warning,
• to delegate the response force their duties in the warning area,
• to draw rescue routes and make an emergency operation plan,
• analyze the relief material distribution,
• monitoring the incident situation,
• disaster information display and real-time dissemination,
• disaster assessment and reconstruction (assess the disaster losses and
relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction cost in accordance with post
disaster needs),
The geo-informatics data base must consists of the following significant
information to handle the incident in a better manner;

• resource management (including human and other resources),

• demographic details (including children, aged and gender),
• livelihood and habitation etc.,
• infrastructure and basic amenities,
• public health hospitals,
• transport network,
• land use and land cover (built-up, agricultural, forest, water, waste and
others),
• academic institutes (schools, colleges, institutes and universities),
• research institutes,
• industries and mining area.
 GIS
• You have already used a GIS
• If you have used Google Maps to find an address or driving instructions.
• If you have searched online for an ATM banking machine location.
• GIS stands for geographical information system. In simple terms, GIS is a system
that uses hardware and software to capture, manage, analyze, and display
geographically referenced information. GIS can map where things are, their
densities, quantities, and so on.
• GIS provide the ability to build and maintain an inventory of anything on the earth
or any information that is tied to a location. One may ask the question – Why is GIS
important? Simply put, because location matters. 
• Any location on the earth has massive amounts of data tied to it, which not only
include physical features, but political, economic and social data, as well. GIS
facilitates the process by which we can visualize, analyze and understand this data.
 

• GIS helps in navigating the directions, locating the places, measuring the
distance. In respect of the locations and directions one can make every
possible use of GIS. It is useful for various sectors like Government, Travels and
tourism, and many more. Disaster management system also uses the GIS to
make us aware about any kind of natural disaster like flood, earthquake,
cyclone etc. So let us check the usage of GIS in Disaster Management.

• Disaster Management is a sector which serves the society by making them

aware of the possibilities  of  any natural calamities . They make a proper plan
of rescue and evacuation. The following are the primary responsibilities of
disaster management :
1. The first and the foremost task of Disaster management is to identify the
disaster prone areas of a country. With the help of GIS, Managers
can Identify the areas which are likely to be affected by any disaster, this
can be based on the previous data .
2. Planning safety measures : Another responsibility of the Disaster
management is to take the safety measures and making people aware of
these measures. Disaster management department plans the safety
measures with the help of maps or any GIS tool in the following way :
• Creation of the maps for different disasters for different regions.
• Planning the pre disaster things and safety measures on the basis of
the past data by locating on the maps, and by researching the areas
where adversity is highly likely to happen.
• Identifying the medicals and hospitals for treatment nearby.
3. Planning rescue and evacuation: Disaster management plans the rescue
and evacuation of the people, who get stuck in the calamity. GIS helps
in planning the evacuation and rescue route, whether it should be by
road, by water or by air whichever will be the safest. GIS will help to Find
out the alternate ways to shelters, camps  one can easily look for the
nearby places where shelters and camps can be organized with the help
of a map.
4. Rehabilitation and post disaster management: Disaster  management
sector make plans for the rehabilitation of the place and people post the
occurrence of the disaster. GIS will help Identifying the safe location for
rehabilitation that are locations as well as zones for the rehabilitation of
the victims nearby the affected place. For getting the mapping of the
whole affected area we will be using GIS in Disaster Management.
• During the disaster prevention stage, GIS is used in managing the huge levels of
data required for vulnerability and hazard assessment.
• In the disaster preparedness stage, it is a tool for planning evacuation routes,
designing centres for emergency operations, and for the integration of satellite
data with other relevant data in the design of disaster warning systems.
• In the disaster relief phase, GIS, in combination with GPS, is extremely useful in
search and rescue operations in areas that have been devastated and where it is
difficult to find one’s bearings.
• In the disaster rehabilitation stage, GIS is used to organize the damage
information and post-disaster census information and in the evaluation of sites
for reconstruction.
• GIS allows for the combination of the different kinds of spatial data with non-
spatial data, attribute data and use them as useful information in the various
stages of disaster management.
• Various disasters like earthquake, landslides, flood, fires, tsunamis, volcanic
eruptions, and cyclones are natural hazards that kill lots of people and destroy
property and infrastructure every year.
• The rapid increase of the population and its increased concentration, often in
hazardous environment, has escalated both the frequency and severity of natural
disasters.
• Among the tropical climate and unstable land forms, coupled with deforestation,
unplanned growth propagation, non-engineered constructions which make the
disaster prone areas sheer vulnerable, slow communication, poor budgetary
allocation for disaster prevention, developing countries suffer more or less
unceasingly by natural disasters.
What is the Importance of GIS Data?
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) have various industrial applications, and
technological advancements have significantly enhanced GIS data, specifically
how it can be used and what can be achieved as a result.
• Geographic Information Systems are powerful decision-making tools for any
business or industry since it allows the analyzation of environmental,
demographic, and topographic data. Data intelligence compiled from GIS
applications help companies and various industries, and consumers, make
informed decisions.
• Here are few ways GIS Data is used in Business and Everyday Life:
1. Mapping- GIS can be used to provide a visual interpretation of data. Google Maps
is an excellent example of a web-based GIS mapping solution that people use for
everyday navigation purposes.
2. Telecom and network services- Organizations can incorporate geographic data into
their complex network design, optimization, planning, and maintenance activities.
This data enhances telecom processes through better customer-relationship
management and location services.
3. Accident analysis- GIS data helps to identify accident locations, and road networks
can be optimized using data intelligence. This intelligence helps to improve road
safety measures and allows better traffic management.
4. Urban planning- GIS data analyzes urban growth and the direction of expansion.
When appropriately applied, it can discover new sites for further development,
considering various factors that are necessary for successful building.
5. Environment impact analyses- Data gathered via GIS applications is vital for
conserving natural resources and protecting the environment. Impact statements
assess the magnitude of human impact on the environment, which GIS integration
helps indicate.
6. Agricultural application- GIS data helps create more efficient farming
techniques, alongside analyzing soil data in an advanced fashion. This can increase
food production in different parts of the world.
7. Disaster management and Mitigation- Efficient GIS systems protect the
environment and are developed to assist risk and disaster management.
8. Navigation- Web-based navigation maps use GIS data to provide the public with useful information.
Web maps are regularly updated per GIS information and are used consistently in everyday life.
9. Flood damage estimation- Governments use GIS data to map flood risk areas and can use the
information to coordinate relief efforts.
10. Natural Resources Management- With the help of GIS information, forests can be adequately
maintained and managed. It is especially crucial for the allocation and geographic distribution of
water, one of the more critical environmental constituents.
11. Surveying- Surveying involves measuring the location of objects on earth, and more organizations
are using Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) for this function. This data incorporated into a
GIS system can estimate area and prepare digital maps.
12. Geology- Geologists use GIS data to analyze soil, assess seismic information, and create 3D displays
of geographic features. It can also be used to analyze rock characteristics, and identify the best
location for different functions.

In summary, the use of GIS data has a profound impact on business and industry, as well as on the general
public. If the technology were eliminated, we would realize to a great extent the overarching importance
of GIS data in our daily lives and in work.
Advantages of GIS

1. It can process multiple data formats and data sets. For example, Satellite
images, vector data points like coordinates, latitude, and longitude drive files
from drones and high sensors cameras.
2. GIS can be integrated with various hardware and software to create a robust
environment.
3. This system can analyze past data sets and analytics on future predictions based
on the trends.
4. It is used for natural resource management by analyzing, managing, and
monitoring natural hazards.
5. It is highly efficient when it comes to data collection, processing, and
visualization.
6. It allows easy record keeping of geographical changes for further analysis.
Disadvantages of GIS

1. GIS often requires trained candidates from the field of Geology, bioinformatics or
Information technology. Non – GIS person will end up ruining the setup
completely.
2. It is incomplete without the available meaningful spatial datasets and databases.
3. People and organizations complain about GIS being very expensive for
implementing and integrating.
4. It requires a large amount of data to be inputted into the system, and hence, there
are more chances of errors.
5. Most of the time organizations fail to implement fully functioning GIS.
6. Data privacy and integrity is an important asset of GIS. It has more risks when it
comes to privacy violation.
Disaster Management System
• Mitigation: It is the discipline of dealing with and avoiding risks. It is a
discipline that involves steps taken to contain or reduce the effects of an
anticipated or already occurred disastrous event.
• Preparedness: It is how we change behavior to limit the impact of disaster
events on people.
• Response: An effective plan for public health and other personnel during a
disaster would outline activities designed to minimize the effects of the
catastrophe. These efforts can be summarized as- closely situation analysis
and response.
• Disaster Recovery: The aim of the recovery phase is to restore the affected
area to its previous state. Recovery efforts are concerned with issues and
decisions that must be made after immediate needs are addressed.
Disaster Management is done by following steps:

1. Planning and Analysis

GIS is the most complete information system for modelling, analysing spatial data, and
displaying community vulnerability. When we identify hazard locations with critical
infrastructure, processed GIS Models can be useful for the determination of event
impact and necessary mitigation requirements. Preparedness is important when a
disastrous event occurs. An analysis of risk and hazards is beneficial in an emergency
management program.
2. Situational Awareness
Disaster and emergency management in situational awareness is an essential thing. GIS
techniques play a vital role to provide locational information of the event, that is,
where does the event happens and what happening exactly in real-time. Also by linking
people it processes spatial information and situational awareness established. GIS
Interface allows users to view the current record in a mapping program which is
important in handling emergency conditions.
3.Data Management
To achieve preparedness, a gathering of information and its advanced data storing is
important. In GIS, the integration of information from other sources is possible. GIS
solution is standards-based. Accurate cataloging of GIS data provides useful
information during emergency conditions.

4.Field Operations
Field data is very important in GIS applications and Mobile GIS provides crucial
information. Field teams capture information and send it back to the user. So ground
information is useful for recognizing actual event conditions. Then new data can be
send to operation teams in the field (where the disaster occurs), so they have the
information possible for protecting lives and providing safety to people. Whether it’s a
response or recovery phase, Mobile GIS provides the right information.
Important objectives of GIS database generation are:

Disaster managers from different states, cities, village level use GIS database for
disaster planning.
 Preparedness for disasters and making a plan.
 Forecasting and early warning of a disastrous event.
 For relief management, rescue operations.

GIS database with various themes is helpful to disaster managers in decision

making process when catastrophic event occur.
GIS database include following information which is
beneficial in disaster management;
1. Use of different satellite imageries for GIS data creation.
2. Preparation of base map of different themes using satellite imageries.
3. Macro and micro-level maps used for identifying vulnerability and threat condition.
4. Identification of safe locations and zones for rehabilitation.
5. Road and location maps used for finding alternate routes, shelters, and locations.
6. Planning of evacuation and operation.
7. Management of Rehabilitation and post-disaster reconstruction.
8. Suitable locations identifying scientifically for construction of houses and shelters.
9. New construction areas can be identified and rehabilitation of existing people can be
done.
10.Hospitals and medical facilities identification for injured people.
Role of GIS in Disaster Management
• Today, current technology is advancing in various fields, especially in science and technology,
while technological advances pose many challenges. We can use technology to artificially
adapt and replicate things, but human beings and other living organisms are more important
compared to development. Technological advances also increase the likelihood of disasters.
A disaster can be a natural or man-made disaster or an accident, depending on several
factors. The main factor is climatic conditions due to human activities such as air, water, and
soil pollution. Geographic Information System (GIS) technology plays an important role in
combating such disasters. Combining geographic information systems with remote sensing
and photogrammetry technologies enables the seamless application of this technology at all
stages of the disaster management cycle, from mitigation to recovery processes.
• Photogrammetry is the art, science, and technology of obtaining reliable information about
physical objects and the environment through processes of recording, measuring, and
interpreting photographic images and patterns of recorded radiant electromagnetic energy
and other phenomena.
• Geographic Information Systems are systems that process including, store,
manipulate, analyze, integrate, and display data. Disaster prediction can be made
using a lot of data, which is available in hundreds of thousands of information
such as population and their age, gender details, utility service information, land
details of the whole state, and so on.
• Natural disasters are dangerous events caused by natural processes on earth. An
example of a natural disaster is a flood, earthquake, hurricane/cyclone, volcanic
eruption, tsunami, and other geological processes. Man-made or anthropogenic
disasters are caused by human activities. Anthropogenic disasters adversely affect
humans, other organisms, and finally the ecosystems. Examples of man-made
disasters include all types of pollution, nuclear disasters, chemical
disasters, biological disasters, terrorism attacks, and other accidental disasters.
Floods

• With the help of Remote Sensing & GIS techniques, floods can be predicted. National
Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) & State Disaster Management Authority
(SDMA) utilized remote sensing techniques in combination with GIS/Photogrammetric
technology for Effective & Economic way of management of disasters.

• GIS technology plays a key role in identifying flood-affected locations and providing
shelter for affected people. In addition to that, the suitable places for constructing the
retaining wall structures and an alternate route for draining the stormwater.

• This process also helps to create different levels of vulnerability maps which indicate
the areas that are frequently affected by floods and base maps to show the location
and setup of boats and the rescue team’s plans.

• The 3-Dimensional of Flood simulation results will give more strong information to
understanding the disaster impacts quickly.
Earthquakes

• It is one of the oldest enemies of humankind and now it is possible to map and
analyze earthquakes in a detailed manner. GIS supports national, regional, and
local emergency organizations in planning and managing preparatory programs.

• The GIS-based Urban Information Systems is used to analyze demographic data

and infrastructure locations. Remote sensing and GIS Technology provides the
exact position of the spatial data of historical sites.

• The vision of remote sensing and GIS technology is to visualize the critical
vulnerabilities & damages and reduce the impact of the disaster. The GIS
Technology results could be responded to quickly during the disaster.
• Experience has shown that earthquake deaths can increase due to secondary
disasters such as tsunamis and fires. Buffer analysis serves as a good remedy to
reduce vulnerabilities to predict the damage that could be caused by a tsunami.
The GIS-based Network analysis tool is used to identify the location and routes
that provide the fastest response to emergency needs like a hospital, fire station,
and so on.

• The real-time location tracking platform or web/mobile GIS-based applications

are enabled to interact with the maps which contain the details of the
earthquake location & its intensity, health facility, nearby base camp information,
and Damage assessment.

• The GIS-based application also acts as a collective platform for data gathering
around the incident of infrastructure damage or fire and information
dissemination to relief teams involved in providing aid to those affected by the
disasters.
Cyclones

• It is the most destructive force of nature, causing widespread loss. Remote Sensing technology
is used to monitor & collect accurate information for the entire earth (globe) concerning the
topography and meteorological/climate data. The Temporal data of the same place has
become strong and dominant in determining as well as forecasting the natural calamities for
the environment & ecosystem protection and development.

• GIS technology has been vital for emergency preparedness through planning & execution and
has saved many lives in previously occurred cyclones. It has improved certain extended limits
like environmental understanding, strategic decision making, monitoring of climate change
impact, and ascertaining future risks.

• It uses mathematics functional algorithms to analyze the geo-spatial data and display the
output in a visual format. The data is visualized and their patterns and relationships can be
identified.

• Government agencies, as well as NGOs that support disaster management, can benefit from
this technology because they know which regions are most affected.
Landslides and Avalanches

• The historic data can be accessed by GIS technology and it will give more
awareness to society when the government sectors/rescue teams display the
vulnerability maps and announce the Risk time by the climates.

• The spatial analysis such as developing different theme maps like Elevation,
Slope, Aspect, and Hill shade using terrain analyst which is very useful in landslide
& Avalanches disaster prediction.

• Landslide /Avalanche hazard mapping is a typical problem that requires a large

database. Subsequent analysis of GIS results allows the users to better
understand and visualize problems and results.
Biological Disasters  
• COVID-19 is a good example to understand the importance of information
through maps. In the healthcare domain, the GIS technology is supported against
the global pandemic disease COVID-19. The Mapping of available data like
existing COVID Positive cases, quarantine centres, hospital infrastructure
capacities, and identifying hotspots was possible using GIS Based COVID-19
Response & Monitoring Solution. The GIS Real-Time spatial mapping and analysis
skills will also act the main role in the efficient distribution of vaccinations.

Accidental disasters 
• Accidental disasters occur due to the following reasons: Process and safety
systems failures, Human/Technical/Management errors, the Induced effect of
natural calamities, Hazardous waste processing/ disposal, and Terrorist attacks/
unrest leading to sabotage. The accidental disaster hotspot identification of the
location uses GIS, GPS, and Telecommunication Technology. The high user
interface of mobile-based applications has integrated the technology to provide
effective and economical safety to society.
•GIS solutions for different hazards
•1. Earthquake
 GIS can be useful for monitoring historical sites of the earthquake also for Response &
data management for recovery.
 It’s also useful for Impact assessment.

•2. Flood
 Flood mapping from Macro level to Micro level.
 Flood Zone mapping.
 Detecting Potential Site of Flood in reference with rainfall
 Elevation Mapping
 Preparing Response map in response to managing after flood situations
 Remote Sensing
• Remote sensing is the process of detecting and monitoring the physical
characteristics of an area by measuring its reflected and emitted radiation
at a distance (typically from satellite or aircraft). Special cameras collect
remotely sensed images, which help researchers "sense" things about the
Earth.
• Remote sensing is one of the methods commonly used for collecting
physical data to be integrated into GIS. Remote sensors collect data from
objects on the earth without any direct contact. They do this by detecting
energy reflected from the earth, and are typically mounted on satellites or
aircraft.
• Remote sensing technology has become much more prevalent, accurate
and accessible in recent years, and covers a wide range of engineering
applications.
• Remote sensing is the acquisition of information about an object or
phenomenon without making physical contact with the object, in contrast
to on-site observation. The term is applied especially to acquiring
information about Earth and other planets.

• Remote sensing is used in numerous fields, including geography, land

surveying and most Earth science disciplines (for example,
hydrology, ecology, meteorology, oceanography, glaciology, geology); it also
has military, intelligence, commercial, economic, planning, and
humanitarian applications, among others.

• Remote sensing can be used to assist risk reduction initiatives through

identification of hazard zones associated with flood plains, coastal
inundation and erosion, and active faults. 
• The term remote sensing was first used in the early 1960s. Later, it was
defined as the total processes used to acquire and measure the
information of some property of objects and phenomena by a recording
device (sensor) that is not in physical contact with the objects and
phenomena in study.
• In current usage, the term "remote sensing" generally refers to the use of
satellite or aircraft-based sensor technologies to detect and classify objects
on Earth, without any direct contact.
• They do this by detecting energy reflected from the earth, and are typically
mounted on satellites or aircraft. It includes the surface and
the atmosphere and oceans.
• It may be split into "active" remote sensing (when a signal is emitted by a
satellite or aircraft to the object and its reflection detected by the sensor)
and "passive" remote sensing (when the reflection of sunlight is detected
by the sensor).
• Remote sensing provides an easy collection of data over a variety of scales
and resolutions. The data collected by remote sensing can be analyzed
faster as compared to the on-site collection of data. The information
gathered from a single remotely sensed image can be very extensive and
used for different purposes.

• India's remote sensing program was developed with the idea of applying

space technologies for the benefit of humankind and the development of
the country. The program involved the development of three principal
capabilities. The first was to design, build and launch satellites to a sun
synchronous orbit. The second was to establish and operate ground
stations for spacecraft control, data transfer along with data processing and
archival. The third was to use the data obtained for various applications on
the ground.
• Remotely sensed data can provide a valuable source of information at each stage of
disaster management (prevention, preparedness, response and recovery), helping to
understand spatial phenomena, and providing scientists and authorities with objective
data sources for decision making.
• It can also be used to verify hazard models by measuring the location and magnitude of
actual events. Imagery is widely used by meteorologists for providing weather
forecasting and warnings of potentially severe weather events, providing the public and
emergency responders with information that can assist decision making around short
term readiness.
• These images are commonly presented in print, television and on the internet, and they
are well accepted by viewers around the world. Imagery of fires, volcanic eruptions and
flooding are often used during the response phase for the visual impact that they
provide.
• If people in potentially at-risk locations personalise the risk, they are more likely to take
readiness actions such as making emergency plans for contact and evacuation or
assembling emergency kits.
• For agencies that respond to emergencies, remote sensing imagery provides a rapid
method of assessing the magnitude of hazard impacts, areas most affected, and where
key transport and other infrastructure links have been disrupted or destroyed.
•Remote sensing can also be used to provide an indication of the rate of recovery in an area
post disaster based on indicators such as vegetation regrowth, debris removal, and
reconstruction.
•There are few examples where remote sensing is incorporated seamlessly into all stages of
the disaster management cycle for planning purposes. This requires a collaborative effort
from emergency managers, policy planners and remote sensing technical staff that may not
always be co-located, or even working for the same organisation.
•However, data is becoming more readily available, and some satellites and constellations
are even targeting at least partially the disaster management / emergency response
community in recognition of the value remotely sensed imagery can provide. If this current
trend continues, integrating remote sensing and emergency management will become
increasingly more commonplace.
•Remote sensing and GIS Technology provides the exact position of the spatial data of
historical sites. The vision of remote sensing and GIS technology is to visualize the critical
vulnerabilities & damages and reduce the impact of the disaster.
Applications of remote sensing in Disaster management

• Natural disasters are common occurrences that result from natural causes like
floods, volcanoes, earthquakes, etc. Disaster management is a general term
used to stand for processes involved in strategic planning and procedures
administered in controlling occurrences of natural disasters. Remote sensing
techniques can be effective in reducing the risks of disasters and helps in the
identification of hazards zone and causes. Thus, this technology plays magic in
the prevention and management of natural disasters. In disaster
management, remote sensing has various applications:

Tracking wind patterns

The wind is one of the causes of disaster in the environment. Hurricane
disasters can be sensed and be predicted by the use of remote sensors. These
sensors pass the early warning to people living in the affected area, and they
can relocate to avoid damages.
Detecting earthquake
Remote sensors can detect the onset of an earthquake. Thus they provide useful information that
can be used to predict areas to be affected. This promotes relocation of the vulnerable groups
hence saving life and valuable things.

Relief operations
After any natural disaster, many areas are inaccessible, which poses a great challenge in assessing
and managing the damage. However, the remote sensing technique got the operation covered. It
assists in disaster assessment and monitoring as it is sky-based, thus providing important
information in relief monitoring operations.

Wildfires
Forest fire is a type of disaster that may result in a great loss if not controlled. Thus proper
protection needs to be laid down to avoid fire attacks. Remote sensors are used as a warning tool
for early warning systems and provide information on the areas affected by the fire. The early
warning enables people to have suitable plans to extinguish the fire and thus hindering its spread.
Floods management
During rainy seasons, many places get flooded, and immediate action is needed to
rescue the vulnerable group. On-site observation of the affected area may be possible
as all the land has water, and therefore an alternative method is required. The remote
Sensing technique fits best in such a situation; since it is sky-based, it may take an
image on the earth and hence initiate rescue missions.

Drought prediction
The rise in the earth’s temperature may result in drought and other high temperature-
related defects. However, sensors may be used to predict the temperature rise. Since
they are sky-based, they are able to measure the temperature of the reflected
radiation from the earth’s surface; the information obtained may be compared with
the previous ones. In case of an increase in temperature, a warning is passed to the
vulnerable group, and relevant activities are taken to reverse the temperature rise.
Identification of hazards zones
Not all areas are likely to experience natural defects, while others experience
natural disasters more frequently than other zones. Therefore, in identifying
areas that are vulnerable to natural disasters, the remote sensing technique is
widely used. It provides information such as intervals between one occurrence
of the disaster and the other, the type of disaster commonly affecting the area,
and the vulnerable areas. The information provided by the sensors is of great
importance as it is used to relocate people during disaster periods.

Reconstruction of areas affected

Many areas are affected during or after natural calamities, and there’s a need
to reconstruct them. However, on-site locating these areas may pose a great
challenge as only a limited area is covered. Remote sensing technique helps in
easing the process has it able to cover a wider area at the same time.
Disaster management study
In the study on how to control and manage natural calamities, various methods
are implemented. Remote sensing is one of the powerful tools in this study. It
provides researchers with the required information and data concerning the
environment used in their decision-making.

Glacial lakes assessment

Glacial lakes, found on top of mountains, may be a good tourist attraction and a
threat to the nearby areas. Since they are found on the top of the mountain, it
is impossible to assess them from the ground easily; a view from above is
required to assess them. Thankfully to remote sensors as most of them are sky-
based. They assess the glacial lakes and predict any dangers related to these
lakes, thus enabling the people living nearby to relocate early in case of any
danger.
Emergency mapping
Remote sensing technique has a vital role in emergency mapping to promote an
easy and quick disaster response. The sensors provide large, widely, and timely
data used by the emergency team to plan how they will carry out the rescue
mission.

Risk mapping and management

In many cases, human activities contribute to initiating natural disasters.
However, to control this, the remote sensor may be used to map human risks
that are likely to bring a calamity. Risk mapping provides a report and
information that can be used to warn people on their disaster-causing activities
and be used to prepare and prevent the disaster.
Data analysis
Data analysis is essential in all fields. In the disaster management field, data analysis
is necessary as it can be used to predict the future occurrence and extent of any
given calamity that occurs naturally. However, obtaining these data and information
relies on the various data collection methods; remote sensing technique is the best
and primary source of disaster assessment. Unlike other methods, remotes sensors
can record the extent and strength of the calamity, making data comparison simpler.

Resource allocation
The government also relies greatly on this technique to fund and support people
affected by the disaster. Here, sensors are used to examine the affected groups and
areas for easier allocation of funds, minimizing fraud and misuse of public funds.

In conclusion, the technique of remote sensing is a key component in the field of

disaster management.
Advantages of remote sensing

1. A larger area can be sensed remotely in a very easy way and the whole data can
be easily processed and analysed fast by using the computer and that data is
utilised for various purposes.
2. Data Collection is really very easy over a variety of scales and resolutions.
3. Remote Sensing can allow repetitive coverage which generally comes manually
when collecting data on dynamic themes like water and Agriculture field
4. It is easier to locate floods or forest fire that has spread over a large region which
makes it easier to plan a rescue mission easily and fast.
5. A single image captured through remote sensing can be analyzed and interpreted
for use in various applications and purposes. There is no limitation on the extent
of information that can be gathered from a single remotely sensed image.
Disadvantages of Remote sensing

1. Remote Sensing requires one special type of training for analysing the images.
It is therefore expensive in the long run to use remote sensing technology since
extra training must be accorded to the users of the technology.
2. The biggest disadvantage is its cost. It is one of the expensive methods of
analysis and hence it is not used to analyse the small area
3. Again it is one of the expensive methods to analyse repetitive photographs.
4. The information provided by remote sensing data may not be complete and
may be temporary.
5. Sometimes large scale engineering maps cannot be prepared from satellite data
which makes remote sensing data collection incomplete.
 GPS
• GPS, which stands for Global Positioning System, is a radio navigation
system (the application of radio frequencies to determine the position of
an object on Earth) that allows land, sea, and airborne users to determine
their exact location, velocity, and time 24 hours a day, in all weather
conditions, anywhere in the world. The capabilities of today’s system
render other well-known navigation and positioning technologies
impractical and obsolete. GPS is used to support a broad range of military,
commercial, and consumer applications.
• The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a U.S.-owned utility that provides
users with positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services. This system
consists of three segments: the space segment, the control segment, and
the user segment. The U.S. Space Force develops, maintains, and operates
the space and control segments.
1. The space segment: The GPS space segment consists of a constellation of
satellites transmitting radio signals to users. The United States is
committed to maintaining the availability of at least 24 operational GPS
satellites, 95% of the time.
2. The control segment: The GPS control segment consists of a global
network of ground facilities that track the GPS satellites, monitor their
transmissions, perform analyses, and send commands and data to the
constellation.
3. The user segment: Like the Internet, GPS is an essential element of the
global information infrastructure. The free, open, and dependable nature
of GPS has led to the development of hundreds of applications affecting
every aspect of modern life. GPS technology is now in everything from
cell phones and wristwatches to bulldozers, shipping containers, and
ATM's.
• The GPS service is controlled by the United States government, which can selectively
deny access to the system, as happened to the Indian military in 1999 during the Kargil
War, or degrade the service at any time. As a result, several countries have developed or
are in the process of setting up other global or regional satellite navigation systems. The
Russian Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) was developed
contemporaneously with GPS, but suffered from incomplete coverage of the globe until
the mid-2000s. GLONASS can be added to GPS devices, making more satellites available
and enabling positions to be fixed more quickly and accurately, to within two meters
(6.6 ft). China's BeiDou Navigation Satellite System began global services in 2018, and
finished its full deployment in 2020. There are also the European Union Galileo
navigation satellite system, and India's NavIC. Japan's Quasi-Zenith Satellite
System (QZSS) is a GPS satellite-based augmentation system to enhance GPS's accuracy
in Asia-Oceania, with satellite navigation independent of GPS scheduled for 2023.
Application of GPS in disaster management

• GPS is a satellite navigation system made in a way to provide time,

information, accurate position, and velocity in any place around the world. In
disaster management GPS can be used in various places to show the exact
expected events and prepare the personnel on the countermeasures of such
events.
1. Monitoring of landslides: Areas prone to landslide can use the GPS to
monitor the landslides of little magnitude, eventual changes in terms of
distance, the difference in heights, and the coordinates of places under
observation. GPS can be used to give the exact positions and coordinates of
the areas suspected to be prone to landslides.
2. Flood management: GPS, in this case, can be used to determine how deep
the waters are, it also helps in providing information about the velocity of
the water. Other Geo-informatic technologies used together with GPS
include GIS and the RS all aid in locating structures within the flooding areas.
3. Forest fire management: Locational information of places most likely
affected by fires is acquired by the use of GPS. Besides, it is also used to
map the fire perimeters in conjunction with the GIS system. All structures
damaged can be easily traced by the use of GPS narrowing down to their
total numbers. In conclusion, GPS is used in the preparation of any forest
fires and helping to reduce out in case there is one.

4. Earthquake monitoring: Having been used in some places that are

susceptible to earthquakes, GPS has proved to provide millimeter-level
differential accuracy that monitors inter-seismic ground deformation and
displacement. GPS is used to provide measurements and data that help
to understand the earthquakes occurrences in areas prone to it.
5. Tsunami management: GPS is very important in locating the coordinates of
the already damaged structures within the tsunami-affected areas. It is also
used to survey other Tsunami occurrences hence offering information such
as the tsunami runoff height as well as its flow depth among others. The
provision of this information helps in the management of other tsunamis
likely to occur.

6. Monitoring structural deformations: Due to its accuracy, GPS is being used

to monitor dams that are deformed, TV towers as well as bridges. Besides it
also monitors oil fields and mine areas for possible ground subsidence. It
has been successfully used in various places to ensure that the above
mentioned are in good condition and that they do not result in a disaster.
• India is vulnerable to natural and manmade disasters. All disasters are spatial in nature. GIS
techniques act as a decision support tool. Decision-making can be made possible by the
analysis of different GIS layers (collection of geographic data). Currently, socio-economic and
geo-spatial data is useful for the management and planning of disasters as well as tackling
disastrous conditions. Various departments and agencies are stakeholders using GIS in the
disaster management process. GIS, RS & GPS is useful in disaster management applications &
for decision making. The evolution of computer technology and the availability of hardware
is helpful for the rapid expansion of GIS in both disaster research and practice.

• GIS is useful for hazard zone mapping and during emergency conditions mitigation of people
can easily possible using these maps. GIS and RS are much beneficial in mitigation strategies
and preparedness plans. Real-time geographic data can improve the allocation of resources
for response. GIS technologies are much useful in the modeling of disaster risks and human
adaptations to hazards. It also provides a decision support system in disaster management.
Disaster management has two stages which are Pre-Disaster and Post-Disaster stage.
Pre-Disaster Stage: Mitigation and Preparation process activities need to be planned to reduce the
impact of the disaster.

• Phase 1 – Mitigation: Minimize the effects of the Disasters before their occurrence.

The Central /State Government or local rescue teams take action to save people’s lives, and
properties, to reduce the consequence of disasters with help of Geo-Information data. The objective
of the Mitigation process is preserved in an optimum way using GIS Technology by adoption and
enforcement of land use & zoning practices, implementing and enforcing building codes, Raising of
homes in flood-prone areas, and Awareness Program. The Government sector tremendously works in
disaster mitigation plans with help of GIS-based forecasted disaster maps efficiently. Making short &
long-term continuous preparation of mitigation plans to minimize the impact of the disaster will
need to identify the critical areas by its interactive visualization in a geospatial optimized mode.

• Phase 2 – Preparedness: Involves the development of an emergency operations plan.

Central or local rescue teams are ready to prepare an emergency operation plan with a disaster
response checklist for communities and data share across both government and non-governmental
agencies. The development of the geospatial database for infrastructure, and the asset locations,
such as generators, construction machinery, medical resources, and shelters.
Post-Disaster Stage: Response and recovery measures are being taken to return to normal
life.
• Phase 3 – Response: Emergency assistance

In the event of a disaster, people need emergency assistance after the disaster, geospatial
data can be used to determine the answers to user questions regarding emergencies like
health center operations, temporary potential shelter locations, and so on. The central / state
government or relief team address/respond to all those in need of help during the time of
the fight against a disaster with of help of GIS Technology.

• Phase 4 – Recovery: Back to Normal Life after the occurrence of the Disaster Event

The Government provides support to the affected people during the disaster to bring them
into their day-to-day routine life using support in an economic, social, and environmental
way. GIS provides short-term goals such as environmental monitoring of affected sites,
tracking of rehabilitation processes, and economical support for rapid recovery processes.
The establishment of Long term vision has to make better recovery & rebuild work and
mitigation plans along with GIS technology.
Concluding of Role of GIS in Disaster Management
GIS technology helps identify disasters before they occur, using forecasts or risk
zone maps.

Remote sensing and GIS technology for Disaster Management create an

emergency database for people in need of all assistance in the event of a disaster.

The emergency database contains information about nearby hospitals,

emergency shelters, and more. Disaster risk or impact maps focus on taking
corrective action against disasters.

The GIS Technology is combined with Global Positioning System (GPS), which will
help to receive/update the help from disaster rescue teams.

GIS for Disaster Management uses remote sensing data to forecast climate
conditions and climate anomalies at any given point by latitude-longitude
coordinates.
The alternate routes can be created by using Disaster Management technology i.e. GIS
for rescuing from disasters.
The details of the disaster like the occurred place, severity level, and how many areas
are affected & disaster directions all will be mapped using GIS Technology.
The GIS Maps will also give historical/past disaster events details, from this disaster
management action will be taken more strongly.
The Risk zone map of disasters may reduce the vulnerability of the disasters.

In the event of a disaster or post-disaster emergency, GIS technology uses a

combination of GPS & 5G to enhance assistance.
Remote Sensing and GIS technology have strong essence to provide the solution to all
types of disasters but only the method, and consideration of the factors are different.
So, disasters occur naturally or accidentally and cannot be stopped, but technology can
be used to minimize the impact and damage.
Applications of GIS in Disaster Management

• All disasters are spatial in nature. Most of the time, they are unplanned
occurrences that happen as accidents.
• Furthermore, disasters are unavoidable in nature and affect all aspects of the
human sectors from the social, economic and environmental sectors.
• Disaster management is the organization and management of the available
resources for dealing with all aspects of emergencies to lessen the impact of the
damage caused.
• GIS in disaster management acts as a tool for supporting decisions. The
application of GIS in disaster management helps in understanding the nature of
the disaster and this helps in solving complex management problems.
• In addition to that, decisions can only be made by analyzing the different
Geographic Information System layers.
• Management and planning of disasters, as well as handling disastrous conditions
are currently useful, with the help of geo-spatial and socio-economic data.
1. Preparedness for a disaster
The awareness and preparedness of disaster is one crucial area. Some of the crucial questions that
arise from this area include; what is the total number of people in the affected area? What is the
location of the buildings and infrastructure around that area? The number of people at risk and the
evacuation time and technique? What are some of the structures that can be used as shelters?
These questions come up anytime a disaster strikes a particular area and location. The database of
critical facilities such as hospitals, police stations, ambulances, fire stations, and schools can be
built up by GIS and remote sensing techniques. This is helpful for planning purposes.

2. Planning and Mitigation

In the early years, whenever disaster occurred, the role of the government was limited to rescue,
relief and rehabilitation. Time has passed and mitigation and mainstreaming of disaster risk
reduction are one of the crucial activities, which require the intervention of the government. With
the application of Geographic Information Systems, the development of decision support cables for
assessing risk from natural disasters is achieved. The effectiveness and the cost of the response and
the recovery of the disaster are in relation to the extent of the planning and how appropriate the
process is. This helps the government in the mitigation and planning of disasters.
3. Response and Recovery
Responding to a disaster in a given area requires detailed information such as where the
disaster has occurred, the intensity of the damage caused, where the affected population is
located and the resources needed to evacuate the affected individuals. Having knowledge
about the above information requires one to understand the geography of the affected area.
This helps in modeling the hazard intensity and the level of severity. An understanding of the
impact of the disaster on buildings is achieved and at the same time, a response to the disaster
for the evacuation and rehabilitation is applied. The usage of drones, together with Geographic
Information Systems and satellite imagery, help in finding the answers to most of
these questions and conducts all of the above tasks in a planned, effective and efficient
manner. The use of mobile GIS in field recovery provides the capability to integrate and also
provides a display of the damaged areas in different locations.

4. Building a common operation environment

Solving the damage caused effectively requires the response and recovery team to have all the
information required at hand. Geographic Information Systems help in collecting information
from sources that are different and combines the information acquired to create intelligence
which is used to effectively manage response and recovery.
5. Data Management
Consequently, gathering and storing information is essential in disaster management. This is
because it helps in attaining a certain level of preparedness. The integration of information
from multiple sources is important and possible with GIS. The information, which has been
provided in the Geographic Information Systems catalog, needs to be as accurate as possible.
The catalog is used in providing useful and relevant information whenever an emergency
occurs.

6. Providing live data

In the past, solving a disaster required the use of intuition and most of the decisions, which
were taken during disasters, were taken based on prior information, and not the live
information, which has been provided. This is different from recent times because live data is
provided on many factors such as infrastructures, the geography of the location, the population
of the affected individuals and the topography. This is important in the response and recovery
step. The application of Geographic Information Systems is important because it helps in
integrating data obtained from various sources, and makes the information
gathered accurate and readily available for stakeholders in disaster management.
 (Providing live data)
In addition to that, the applications of GIS helps in providing the information required in a timely
manner in cases of emergencies. The data that is provided has the capability of rapid exchange
that is easy to understand and act on. The relevant authorities then visualize and analyze this
information for the purposes of making an informed decision. Consequently, the decisions that
the management could have arrived at help in providing timely and accurate information such as
where they should take shelter and evacuation routes among others.

7. Flood mapping
This is one of the most frequent and costly natural disasters all over the world. Floods occur
because of economic loss and the hardship that human beings have to go through. Lately, the
flood management team has increased its interest in obtaining a reliable flood map. The
preparation of these flood maps is the latest concern of any flood management team. Various
approaches have been already taken for possible flood mapping. The most important indicator
of the management of floods is the depth of the flood. Consequently, identifying the flood
depth helps in formulating Geographic Information Systems, which will, in turn, be essential in
determining the depth and the level of harm that flood has caused. In addition to that, using
GIS in this scenario helps in saving more life because human presence will not be needed in the
disastrous area. GIS provides real-time data which is essential in response, recovery and
decision making.
To conclude..
• The space technology and disaster mitigation communities work together in
developing effective and accurate methods for prevention, preparedness and relief
measures.
• Disaster prevention is a long-term phenomenon, which can best be studied with the
help of satellite monitoring of various relevant factors, such as, changing land use.
• Disaster preparedness focuses on warnings and forecasts of impending disasters
and often entails processes, which are quite dynamic and result in "rapid onset"
disasters. Most disasters are of this type although some, such as drought and
famine are slow to develop.
• The obvious difference between warnings and forecasts is that the latter is less
specific in time and space.
• Disaster relief occurs after (and sometimes during) the emergency.
• An important aspect in terms of satellite monitoring involves assessment of the
damage incurred during the disaster.
• Satellite technology can also help in identifying escape routes and locations for
storage of temporary housing.
• The pressure on the earth's resources caused by increased population has
resulted in increased vulnerability of human and their infrastructure to the
natural hazards.
• Recurring occurrences of earthquakes, floods, landslides and forest fires need to
be studied using today’s advanced technology to find effective preventive
measures.
• Space technology can help the disaster mitigation process through better future
scenario predictions; detection of disaster prone areas; location of protection
measures and safe alternate routes etc.
• Post-disaster satellite data acquisition helps in disaster recovery; damage claim
process and fast compensation settlement.
• Various satellites and sensors on-board provide with numerous possibilities of
analyzing the data for disaster prediction and mitigation purposes.
• Impact of land use on natural disasters and ability to predict them would be one
of the main contribution of remote sensing technology in this century.
• Integration of remote sensing with GIS and web technology makes it an
extremely powerful tool to identify indicators of potential disasters.
• Information sharing through Internet reduces data acquisition time and thus
providing efficient way to carry out real time disaster predictions (floods, forest
fire, tsunami and hurricane etc.).
• The beneficiaries of new technology are almost everyone, namely, the people,
government, and private insurance industry. It is crucial to know which of the
areas are at high risk and which ones are at relatively lower risk.
• Investment towards making use of the space technology is worth because
improvement in instrumentation and real time prediction will bring about
reduction in disaster damages; better prediction; accurate and timely damage
estimation; and improved decision making in planning stages.
• Remote sensing or Earth Observation System (EOS) and GIS are among many
tools available to disaster management professionals today making the effective
project planning very much possible and more accurate now then ever before.
• In disaster management, the aim of the experts has been to monitor the
situation, simulate the complicated natural phenomenon as accurately as
possible so as to come up with better prediction models, suggest appropriate
contingency plans and prepare spatial databases.
• The remotely sensed data can be used very effectively, for:
• Quickly assessing severity and impact of damage due to flooding,
earthquakes, oil spills and other disasters;
• Planning efficient escape routes from coastal areas during hurricane season;
• Charting quickest routes for ambulances to reach victims;
• Locating places for shelter for victims or refugees
• Calculating population density in disaster-prone areas;
• Rapidly identifying hardest-hit disaster areas in order to provide early warning
of potential disasters;
• Pre-disaster assessments to facilitate planning for timely evacuation and
recovery operations during a crisis;
• Monitoring reconstruction or rehabilitation after a major disaster; and
• Developing, maintaining or updating accurate base maps.