Shah launches Assam flood atlas, other disaster mgmt tools
Guwahati: Union home minister
on Monday launched the Integrated Control Room for Emergency Response (ICR-ER), National Database for Emergency Management Lite 2.0 (NDEM Lite 2.0), and Flood Hazard Zonation Atlas of Assam.
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Shah later wrote on X that these "will equip our disaster management apparatus with the speed and precision of the new age technologies."
The ICR-ER will prompt real-time response to disasters across the nation by streaming satellite data to rescue agencies, and the NDEM Lite 2.0 will provide our response forces spread across nooks and corners with the agility to confront any calamity as a single unit.
Shah added, "The atlas of Assam will guide our flood control authorities to realise the goal of flood mitigation by providing them with instant data related to floods, their impact, and water levels in rivers."
The comprehensive mapping tool is expected to revolutionise how Assam's disaster management authorities respond to flood situations by providing immediate access to crucial information about water levels, flood patterns, and potential impact zones. This real-time data capability could prove instrumental in early warning systems and evacuation planning for the state's vulnerable populations.
Speaking at the conference, Shah highlighted India's growing prominence in global disaster management, crediting the collaborative efforts of key national institutions.
"In the past 10 years, because of the contributions of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), India is moving towards becoming a global leader in the field of disaster management," Shah stated.
The minister also issued a nationwide directive to enhance disaster preparedness at the grassroots level, emphasising the critical importance of local planning.
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He mandated that every relief commissioner across the country must prepare a 'District Disaster Management Plan' for their respective districts within the next 90 days.
"Until a district has its disaster management plan in place, we cannot respond swiftly in the face of a disaster," reiterated Shah, underlining the need for comprehensive preparedness at the district level to ensure rapid and effective disaster response.
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