Applications of GIS and Remote Sensing in Risk Assessment

Hazard Mapping and Monitoring

GIS and Remote Sensing are extensively used to create hazard maps, which help in identifying areas that are prone to natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, landslides, and cyclones.

Example: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) uses satellite imagery to monitor flood-prone areas during monsoon seasons. The flood hazard maps generated through Remote Sensing data are vital for planning and implementing flood management strategies in states like Assam and Bihar, where annual flooding is a major concern.

Additionally, the Brahmaputra and Ganga river basins, which are prone to floods, are monitored using satellite-based remote sensing, providing real-time data to disaster management authorities.

Vulnerability and Risk Assessment

These technologies are instrumental in assessing the vulnerability of communities and infrastructure to various disasters.

Example: The National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) in India uses satellite data to assess the risk of landslides in the Himalayan region. By analyzing the topography, land use, and vegetation cover, GIS can identify areas at high risk and help in developing early warning systems.