The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Database to help tackle disasters

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 06, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Database to help tackle disasters

Special Correspondent

"Spatial data and related technologies proved effective in decision-making"

CHENNAI: The National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM), being set up at the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, will serve as a national repository of databases for emergency/disaster management and assist stakeholders in various stages of emergency response, R.R. Navalgund, Director, Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, said during the inauguration of Geomatics 2006, a national conference on Geomatics for Infrastructure Development here on Wednesday.

The conference was organised by the Indian Society of Geomatics (ISG), Institute of Remote Sensing, Anna University, and the Chennai Chapter of ISG.

Spatial data and related technologies had proved effective in collaborative decision-making for disaster management. It was essential to have a network of international organisations working towards disaster management, especially in the utilisation of space technology.

Digital database

The disaster management support services of the Department of Science were directed at creating a digital database for hazard zonation, damage assessment, monitoring major natural disasters and strengthening communication for timely dissemination of information. Geoinformatics tools, especially remote sensing and geographical information systems, were found to be highly useful at all stages. However the utility of geoinformatics in disaster management was constrained by factors such as absence of viable early warning models and non-availability of a robust decision support system, Dr. Navalgund said.

Lessons from tsunami

Two of the most important lessons learnt by Tamil Nadu in handling the recent tsunami disaster were the need for developing an early warning system and preparedness at all levels, said R. Santhanam, Commissioner for Revenue Administration.

Disasters such as cyclones and earthquakes could be mitigated using remote sensing and GIS. Satellite data was important in helping to plan for developments in post-disaster scenarios, he added.

Among those who participated were K. Jayaraman, Registrar, Anna University; S. Kaliappan, Director, Institute of Remote Sensing, Anna University and Rajesh C. Mathur, chairman of the conference.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu