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GIunit3 (2 Files Merged)
GIunit3 (2 Files Merged)
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.
1. GIS
2. GPS
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.
• 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.
• 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
• 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.
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.
• 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.
• 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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
• 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.
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.
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.
• 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.
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..
• 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.
SAR is carried out for different categories of affected people depending on the
complexities of the processes involved. This is illustrated as follows:
• The immediate stage is searching and rescuing people with injuries among
people trapped in the affected area that we see at first sight.
• The second stage is the rescue of persons whom we are able to contact but
are unable to reach. These are people who may be trapped under heaps of
rubble from a collapsed building, or people stuck on trees or high-rise
buildings, or trapped inside basements.
• The third stage includes searching those areas where survivors are likely to be
trapped generally. These are called likely survival points.
• The fourth stage is the last stage in which debris leading to likely survival
points is cleared.
Search and Rescue Kits
SAR kits should ideally be kept in central locations in areas of vulnerable buildings. Local
trained personnel can make use of these kits should a disaster strike the area. A typical
SAR kit will comprise the following items:
• Evacuation map of the building or area
• Hammer
• Screw driver (6" flat)
• Axe
• 24" Crow bar
• Spade
• Pickaxe
• 50-foot rope
• Torch
• Spare battery cells
• Hard shoes or Gum Boots
• Helmet
• Hand gloves
• Dust Mask
Firemen’s Lift
Human Crutch Pick a back
Staircase drag
Firemen’s Crawl
This method is used when the affected person is trapped inside a smoke filled area and is
unconscious. The rescuer first ties the hands of the casualty and then goes astride the
casualty. The rescuer inserts his head in the loop made by the casualty’s hands. Then by
pushing his hand and foot against the ground, he can drag the casualty to a safer place.
Toe Drag
This method is used when the affected person is lying in such an area where there is very
little space to carry out the rescue. The affected person may or may not be unconscious.
In this rescue method, the rescuer inserts his feet into the casualty’s armpits and then
pulls the casualty out of the confinement area. After taking the casualty out, the rescuer
can lift the casualty with any appropriate method.
B) Two Person Methods
Fore and Aft
This method is used when the affected person is having an abdominal injury. For carrying out
this method, two rescuers are required. In this method, the affected person is laid down flat on
his/her back. One of the rescuers holds the casualty from the armpits while the second rescuer
holds the legs. Then they both lift the casualty and in this way they can shift the casualty to a
safer place.
SAR is a process with high level of risk to the rescuers as well. It is important
for the rescuers to take adequate precautions to keep themselves safe. The
following actions are advised:
Wearing necessary personal protective equipment
Always working in pairs
Before starting SAR, one should always note down alternative means of
escape for Oneself
Using guidelines such as directions for rope use when you enter a
confined place,
smoke filled room or a dark place
Carrying out thorough searches in toilets, storerooms, under tables, in
lifts, etc.
Technical ability
Common sense
Directional sense
Effective improvisation
Proper judgment
Physical and mental fitness