NIDM Harnesses AI and GIS for Enhanced Disaster Management

The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) is leveraging GIS, AI, and machine learning to enhance disaster risk assessments and crop insurance. At the inaugural National Space Day workshop, experts discussed technological innovations and government-private sector collaboration for disaster resilience. Key figures emphasized learning from past disasters for better future preparedness.

The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) is advancing disaster risk assessments and crop insurance by leveraging Geographic Information Systems (GIS), artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning, according to a government statement issued on Saturday.

Under the Ministry of Home Affairs, NIDM inaugurated National Space Day on Friday with a workshop themed 'Space Technology in Disaster Management,' showcasing presentations on the application of GIS and AI in disaster handling.

The event featured participation from high-ranking officials including Vivek Shrivastava, Director General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards, and Rajendra Ratnoo, Executive Director of NIDM. Over 300 attendees engaged in panel discussions on government-private sector collaboration to advance disaster resilience technologies.

Notable participants such as K H V Durga Rao, Group Director at the Department of Space (NRSC), Chandrashekhar S, Deputy Director of LBSNAA, and Surya Parkash, Head, GMR and CRBN Division at NIDM, provided valuable insights. Shrivastava highlighted the importance of risk reduction, praising the zero casualties during Cyclone Biparjoy as a success model.

Ratnoo emphasized learning from past disasters and post-disaster evaluations to improve future preparedness. Technical sessions delved into using GIS, AI, and machine learning for disaster risk assessment and crop insurance.

Safi Ahsan Rizvi, Advisor at NDMA, led discussions on enhancing data collection and integrating AI/ML tools for precise crop yield predictions and insurance assessments. In the valedictory session, Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain, NDMA member, stressed the disciplined application of space technology in disaster management.

(With inputs from agencies.)