ICT Infrastructure of Disaster Management in India

Abstract

There is a remarkable change in disaster management activities with the emergence of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). ICTs find a variety of applications in disaster management, i.e. Internet, Geographical Information System, Remote Sensing and Satellite based communication system help exponentially in each stage of disaster management. The role of ICTs increased significantly with the paradigm shift in disaster management from post-disaster relief, response and recovery to a holistic management of disasters covering pre-disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, relief, recovery and reconstruction. Advancements in the areas of IT and E-Governance are trickled down to other areas including disaster management. It is evidenced from the variety of ICT applications created by various agencies related to disaster management in India. Yet, the opportunities provided by ICTs are yet to be harnessed. The main argument of the chapter is that the efforts made by the governments at the national and state level in harnessing ICT potential for disaster management are inadequate and lopsided. The chapter also argues that the applications of ICTs in disaster management are bound by certain prerequisites and challenges.