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NDTV
3 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
Kerala's Idukki Turns To AI, Sensors To Become Most Disaster-Ready Hill District
Idukki: In the lush, hilly district of Idukki in Kerala, where nature's beauty meets frequent danger, authorities are turning to technology for protection. A new high-tech system using artificial intelligence, sensors, and satellite maps will soon help predict landslides, flash floods, forest fires, and droughts in real time -- part of an ambitious plan to make Idukki the most disaster-resilient hill district in the country. The innovative Idukki Disaster Resilience and Information System (IDRIS)-- a first-of-its-kind early warning and planning platform -- will be rolled out this monsoon as a pilot project, said District Collector V Vigneshwari here on Tuesday. The pilot rollout will begin in Adimaly and Rajakkad, two areas often hit by landslides, floods, and rising conflict between people and wildlife, an official release said. IDRIS is the first system of its kind in India, combining real-time data, satellite maps, and advanced tools like Artificial Intelligence to send early warnings for natural disasters such as landslides, flash floods, wildfires, and drought, the release claimed. The system will help local leaders and government officials make better, faster decisions. It does this by using GIS-based risk maps to guide where roads, buildings, and water systems should be built -- keeping both people and nature in mind, officials said. The system is being developed under the leadership of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). The system uses artificial intelligence, sensors and satellite maps to monitor and predict hazards like landslides, flash floods, forest fires and droughts in real time, the release said. "Forty-six sensors will monitor soil movement, rain and moisture levels. Forty-eight river gauges will track water levels in key tributaries such as the Thodupuzha River and Pamba. Data will be fed live into a GIS-based control room at the District Emergency Operations Centre. Officials will use this information to send early warnings and guide safer infrastructure planning," it said. Alerts will be sent through SMS, sirens, radio and a mobile app, in Malayalam, English, Tamil, Hindi, and tribal languages. "The development of the IDRIS software and its field-level testing will begin soon," the district collector said. The aim is to transform Idukki into India's most disaster-resilient hill district by combining sensor technology, GIS-based risk layers, and machine learning, she added. Officials said Idukki is a district highly prone to disasters. Since 2000, it has faced over 600 landslides, recurring floods, rising incidents of wild animal attacks, unsafe constructions, and forest fires, they said. Taking all these risks into account, a comprehensive multi-hazard monitoring system is being set up in the district, officials added.
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Vigil continues as heavy rain hits normal life in Kozhikode
Heavy rain continues to disrupt normal life in Kozhikode on Wednesday (May 28, 2025) amid heightened vigil by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and village-level rescue squads. Arrangements were made to prepare additional relief camps in landslide-prone areas with the support of local administrators and Revenue department squads. 'The village officers in upland areas are closely monitoring the situation. In case of any emergency, affected families will be shifted to the relief camps. Areas where landslides occurred during previous monsoon seasons will be kept under continuous watch,' said a senior Revenue department officer from Vadakara. He added the village officers and local administrators had already reviewed preparedness and the arrangements to open relief camps if an emergency arises. The DDMA has already audited the safety measures taken to protect people living in the vulnerable coastal areas of the district. Fishermen residing near zones previously affected by sea erosion have been asked to relocate to safer locations. Some families have voluntarily moved in response to the cautionary messages. Revenue department squads have also circulated cautionary messages to prevent incidents of electrocution and drowning in the wake of the strengthening monsoon and flooding. Most water tourism destinations remain shut in the upland areas of Kozhikode as a precautionary measure. Entry will also be restricted at beach tourism destinations following the rough weather alert. On Wednesday, the India Meteorological department (IMD) issued fresh lightning alert. It urged the public to use the 'Damini' lightning alert mobile application for instant updates. Instructions were also issued to discourage outdoor entertainment activities during lightning. Domestic animals should not be allowed to graze in open fields, the IMD communication said. Within the last four days, several local bodies convened emergency meetings to discuss disaster management activities and priority areas. Local body members presented details of vulnerable locations during the meetings, and the requirements were sent to the DDMA for consideration. Meanwhile, the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party called for a dawn-to-dusk hartal in Vilangad, which experienced several destructive landslides during the last monsoon season. The protesters alleged that around 30 affected families were yet to receive their rightful compensation, citing laxity on the part of the State government.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Noida issues a heatwave advisory
Noida: With temperatures in NCR continuing to climb, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) of Noida has issued a public advisory urging residents to take strict precautions against the ongoing heatwave and hot winds, or loo. "Awareness programmes are being carried out in schools and factories to ensure community preparedness," said district magistrate Manish Kumar Verma. "Citizens are advised to stay indoors between 12pm and 3pm, wear light cotton clothing, keep hydrated, and use home remedies like ORS, lemon water, and raw mango drinks to prevent dehydration." It cautions against consumption of alcohol, tea, and coffee, which may worsen dehydration. It also urges residents to carry water, and use umbrellas, caps, or sunglasses when stepping outdoors. Additionally, DDMA emphasised the importance of caring for animals, advising residents to keep pets in shaded areas with access to clean drinking water. Safety measures include avoiding stale or high-protein food, not staying on the top floors of buildings during peak heat hours and not leaving children or pets in parked vehicles. The public has also been encouraged to stay informed through local weather updates and seek immediate medical help if any symptoms of heatstroke — such as dizziness, nausea, or high fever appear. The advisory was issued under the direction of DM Manish Kumar Verma, and supervision of ADM (Finance & Revenue) Atul Kumar. Meanwhile, a health department team on Tuesday conducted inspections across hospitals, Community Health Centers (CHCs), and Primary Health Centers (PHCs) in the city to ensure heatwave preparedness. According to the CMO, all facilities were found ready to handle heat-related emergencies.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Surat readies civil defence committees
Surat: The Surat district administration will continue its training and preparedness programme for civil defence volunteers , despite the ceasefire announced in the India-Pakistan conflict. A meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) was held on Saturday to review emergency volunteers are expected to assist affected citizens during emergencies by arranging essential services and providing rescue and firefighting support to minimize loss of life and property. "There is currently no immediate need for civil defence deployment due to the ongoing ceasefire. However, we plan to train additional volunteers to be ready for future emergencies," said Saurabh Pardhi, Surat district collector. "We already have trained personnel in place and will expand our preparedness capacity."Thirteen specialized civil defence committees have been formed, each with a designated nodal officer reporting directly to the district collector. Operation Sindoor Pak drones enter Indian airspace, explosions heard just hours after truce deal Sirens, explosions in border districts after Pak breaks deal: What we know so far 'What happened to ceasefire?' J&K CM after explosions heard across Srinagar The key committee, headquarters services, will coordinate all operations, including identifying shelter locations, planning evacuations, establishing warning systems, and preventing other committees is warden services, which will be responsible for recruiting and training civil defence volunteers, preparing their list, and ensuring they are ready to handle emergencies. Honorary officials and volunteers of the civil defense force will carry out rescue-related tasks. Firefighting services will handle fire incidents using stirrup pumps and fire equipment. The emergency services committee will arrange for medicine, blood, medical kits, availability of doctors, and emergency medicines to ensure prompt first aid for the injured during case of a breakdown of communication during emergencies, the communication services committee will work on restoring it quickly, ensuring the timely delivery of relief material, and warning the public using messengers and sirens. Rescue services will be responsible for rescuing people from collapsed buildings and providing help to the training services committee will organize basic training for the public and training related to civil defence, while the welfare services committee will provide shelter and essential items to the homeless, finalize shelter locations, and coordinate with NGOs to prepare a and transport services will prepare and provide a database of buses, earthmovers, and other vehicles to assist in relocation and transport services, while the mortuary committee will handle procedures related to the deceased, including last rites, during mass casualty incidents. The supply management committee will ensure control of price inflation, prevent black marketing, and make grains and other essentials property protection services committee will work to prevent theft and looting from damaged properties, and the information management committee will counter rumours, prevent the spread of misinformation, and ensure that accurate and verified information reaches the public.
Hans India
10-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Delhi CM takes stock of emergency preparedness of hospitals, fire service
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday assessed the preparedness of hospitals, the fire department and other government agencies to deal with an emergency in the backdrop of the ongoing 'Operation Sindoor'. Addressing the high-level review meeting, CM Gupta instructed officials to ensure availability of ambulances and adequate storage of medicines and materials. She also issued instructions to ensure power backup in Intensive Care Units and to cancel the leave of medical and paramedical staff and prepare duty rosters. Officials of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) were directed to identify shelters and sensitise Civil Defence Volunteers (CDVs) for emergency deployment and coordination with the armed forces, Indian Railways and airport authorities. In a post on social media platform X, CM Gupta said, 'The Power Department was directed to be prepared in case of power outage and ensure backup power supply for essential services. The Home and Police departments were ordered to maintain operational readiness and security for uninterrupted supply of water and electricity.' She said civic agencies like PWD, MCD and NDMC were instructed to prepare a list of contractors and machinery ready for infrastructure construction in case of emergency. The DTC and DMRC were also asked to prepare route maps and fleet management for emergency planning and evacuation, she said. On Saturday, the Chief Minister held a meeting with the Medical Superintendents (MS) of various government hospitals to review the current condition, needs, and challenges of hospitals to ensure better healthcare services. Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh was also present in the meeting. CM Gupta stated that the Delhi Government's foremost commitment was to provide accessible, affordable, and high-quality healthcare to every citizen of the national Capital. She emphasised that the government was not only strengthening hospital infrastructure but also working to bring healthcare services closer to homes. During the meeting, discussions were held on medicine shortages and supply status in hospitals, implementation preparedness for Central Government health schemes like Ayushman Bharat, Vay Vandana for senior citizens, and Arogya Mandir for comprehensive care, general hospital maintenance, and online systems for OPD/IPD registrations.
