Latest news with #DDMA
Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Officials trained in AI to tackle emergencies
Patna: To improve disaster forecasting and risk management, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), in collaboration with the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority (BSDMA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), conducted an advanced one-day training session on artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and Big Data on Friday. For the first time, district-level officials were introduced to digital tools and technologies designed to support real-time disaster preparedness and early warning systems. The session equipped participants with practical knowledge on applying modern technologies to field situations such as floods, infrastructure failure and security threats. More than 30 officials from agencies including the district disaster management office, SDRF, NDRF, police, Indian Red Cross Society and NGOs took part. Departments such as health, water resources, fire services, electricity and education were also represented. The training, conducted by experts from STS Global, included simulation exercises based on real-life disaster scenarios. Officials engaged in team activities designed to test response planning, data analysis, and coordination strategies in emergencies.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Climate
- The Hindu
Ernakulam DDMA holds emergency meeting
An emergency meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) was held on Thursday (June 26, 2025) afternoon after heavy rain caused a sharp rise in the water level of the Muvattupuzha river, inundating several vulnerable areas in Muvattupuzha town and its adjoining areas. The meeting, chaired by District Collector N.S.K. Umesh and attended by representatives of various departments, reviewed the precautionary measures in place. Mr. Umesh, who also serves as the chairperson of the DDMA, said the district administration was fully prepared to deal with the challenges posed by the intense rain. The Collector instructed the police, Fire and Rescue Services, and the Revenue department to remain on alert to ensure public safety. The water levels in both the Muvattupuzha and Thodupuzha rivers crossed flood warning levels on Thursday morning after the shutters of the Malankara dam were opened. The dam's Executive Engineer has been directed to regulate the shutters based on the inflow. Two affected families were shifted to a relief camp set up at a school in Vazhappilly. Muvattupuzha MLA Mathew Kuzhalnadan, DDMA Deputy Collector K. Manoj, and other elected representatives and officials attended the meeting. The situation remains grim in North Paravur taluk, where relief camps have been opened at Kadungalloor and Kunnukara. A section of the affected population has alleged that the shutters of the Peringalkuthu dam were opened without adequate warning. The situation worsened as floodwaters from the high ranges, which continue to receive heavy rainfall, raised river levels, further affecting people living along the banks. 'The authorities must remain alert as high tide is expected on Thursday night. People living along the Chalakkudy and Periyar river basins, especially in areas like Kunnukara and Puthenvelikkara—which were among the worst hit during the 2018 floods—should exercise caution,' said C.G. Madhusoodhanan, CEO of Equinoct, a Kochi-based community-sourced modelling solution provider. Holiday declared The District Collector has declared a holiday for all educational institutions, including professional colleges, anganwadis, and tuition centres, in view of the heavy rain and strong winds forecast inthe district, which is under an orange alert for Friday (June 27, 2025).
Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
NDMA team reviews disaster preparedness
Rajamahendravaram: Joint Advisor of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Naval Prakash stated that tours are being conducted across districts as part of an initiative to closely examine and discuss the implementation of disaster-related decisions made at the central and state levels. These efforts aim to prevent loss of life or property during disasters or natural calamities. On Tuesday, a three-member NDMA team from New Delhi visited the East Godavari district Collectorate in Rajamahendravaram and held a review meeting with district officials. The discussions focused on the functioning of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and the newly proposed SDMA 2025 model framework. Naval Prakash explained that the purpose of the visit was to evaluate the district-level disaster management mechanisms, analyse challenges faced during previous operations, and develop a future action plan to avoid recurring lapses. He said that the current draft proposals are based on recommended revisions to the 2005 guidelines and emphasised the importance of field-level consultation. He further mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed officials to develop action plans tailored to local conditions to prevent casualties and damages during disasters. Prakash said that while national-level guidelines are important, only contextually suitable proposals should be implemented effectively at the local level. He also noted that under the 15th Finance Commission, there is a mandate to establish a CSR fund comprising 2% of profits from industries earning Rs 200 crore and 5% from those earning Rs 500 crore, recommending awareness and participation from relevant companies. He added that the effective implementation of disaster management frameworks and proposals at the district level plays a key role in the success of national and state-level initiatives. The draft NDMS 2025 proposals were presented to officials through a PowerPoint presentation. He called for greater public participation in disaster management and urged citizens to stay informed through the 'SACHET' mobile app. While around 15 lakh people in the district have mobile connectivity, only 526 have downloaded the app, he pointed out, recommending widespread promotion to encourage more downloads. Joint East Godavari ZP Chairman Vipparti Venugopala Rao said that necessary measures are being taken by various departments during disasters and that the state government is sending early warnings via mobile messages. He said that this process helps prevent loss of life, property, and livestock. However, he expressed concern over the recurring damage to fertile lands during floods and stressed the need for protective measures. He suggested that instead of department-wise actions, an integrated disaster response plan would be more effective. District Joint Collector S Chinna Ramudu said that DDMA meetings are held every three months and highlighted the need for funds to improve infrastructure for disaster management in newly formed districts. Officials also brought to the committee's attention the stalled construction of a bridge in the flood-prone Mulakallanka village located in the Godavari riverbed. NDMA team members-- Under Secretary Abhishek Biswas, Senior Consultant Abhinav Valya, District Revenue Officer T Sitarama Murthy, Special Deputy Collector D Bhaskar Reddy, DSP (Disaster Management) CH Peter, and officials from the Revenue, Agriculture, DRDA, Water Resources, Fire, Police, and Panchayati Raj departments participated in this meeting.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Take up urgent repair, maintenance of Garga dam: DC to BSL officials
Bokaro: The district administration has asked the management of Bokaro Steel Limited (BSL) to take up urgent repairs of Garga Dam a day after deputy commissioner (DC) Ajay Nath Jha found serious structural damages in the reservoir during an inspection on Thursday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Jha's letter, which followed a meeting of the district disaster management authority (DDMA) on Friday, directed the PSU to take up urgent repairs after a portion of the dam was found to be collapsed and a few radial gates were out of order. Jha, during his inspection, also noted that the equipment used for measuring water levels were not working properly. The inspection came after a bout of heavy rain which battered Jharkhand and led to a rise of water levels in the reservoir, which is built over Garga, a tributary of Damodar, and provides water to the BSL plant and its township 12 kilometres away. "Given the possibility of further heavy rainfall, the current condition is a recipe for disaster," a senior district official said, requesting anonymity. Jha's letter, officials said, invoked various provisions of the Disaster Management Act of 2005. "A committee will be formed by BSL to oversee all necessary repair and safety actions within one week," said DC. The district administration has directed that any rise in water levels to dangerous thresholds must be immediately communicated to local administrative authorities. Acting on the direction, BSL has now begun making public announcements in all low-lying areas of Garga river. BSL's chief of communication, Manikant Dhan, said, "We have started alerting people by making announcements to those living in low lying areas of Garga river." With 10 radial gates being opened by Tenughat Dam, water level has increased in Damodar River.
NDTV
03-06-2025
- 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.
