Forecasting of natural disasters is not possible but awareness of calamity (earthquake / flood / cyclones) prone areas is also crucial.
Forecasting and modelling technology
Several countries have early warning systems based on seasonal-to-interannual climate forecasts. These systems are based on using monitoring data, including temperature and rainfall values, and state-of-the art climate models. Climatologists analyse the observations and model-based predictions to predict climate anomalies one or two seasons ahead. Radar estimates of rainfall and general weather forecasting techniques are popularly used for this purpose. Anticipating floods before they occur allows for precautions to be taken and warning people so that they can be prepared in advance for flooding conditions. In order to make the most accurate flood forecasts, it is recommended to have a long series of historical data related to past rainfall events.
Remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) applications
Remote sensing and GIS applications have significantly advanced famine early warning systems. Regional mapping predicts harvests half way through the growing season to give advance warning on food security before the end of the season. In addition, flood monitoring is now regularly informed by remote sensing that obtains information on soil types, water resources, settlements, cropped areas and forests.
Satellite communication technology
Improvements in satellite communication have helped decrease the lag time between data collection and warning. For example, the Pacific Tsunami Warning System works by a recorder on the seabed relaying data on anomalies to a buoy on the surface. This data is then transmitted via satellite to ground stations every 15 seconds.
Mobile phone technology
With the global spread of mobile phones and networks, this technology is now increasingly used to communicate warnings and coordinate preparation activities — particularly SMS alerts for disseminating mass messages. For example, upon detection of p-waves that precede earthquake shaking, Japanese agencies send out SMS alerts to all registered mobile phones in the country.
ICTs for crowdsourcing
The use of 'crowdsourced' data is gaining traction with increasing Internet connectivity and use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) such as mobile phones. Crowdsourcing allows local people, mapping experts and other stakeholders to communicate what they saw and heard on the ground to produce information that could be used by humanitarian workers. Crowdsourcing can also help with pre-disaster activities, specifically risk identification and early warning.
Forecasting and modelling technology
Several countries have early warning systems based on seasonal-to-interannual climate forecasts. These systems are based on using monitoring data, including temperature and rainfall values, and state-of-the art climate models. Climatologists analyse the observations and model-based predictions to predict climate anomalies one or two seasons ahead. Radar estimates of rainfall and general weather forecasting techniques are popularly used for this purpose. Anticipating floods before they occur allows for precautions to be taken and warning people so that they can be prepared in advance for flooding conditions. In order to make the most accurate flood forecasts, it is recommended to have a long series of historical data related to past rainfall events.
Remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) applications
Remote sensing and GIS applications have significantly advanced famine early warning systems. Regional mapping predicts harvests half way through the growing season to give advance warning on food security before the end of the season. In addition, flood monitoring is now regularly informed by remote sensing that obtains information on soil types, water resources, settlements, cropped areas and forests.
Satellite communication technology
Improvements in satellite communication have helped decrease the lag time between data collection and warning. For example, the Pacific Tsunami Warning System works by a recorder on the seabed relaying data on anomalies to a buoy on the surface. This data is then transmitted via satellite to ground stations every 15 seconds.
Mobile phone technology
With the global spread of mobile phones and networks, this technology is now increasingly used to communicate warnings and coordinate preparation activities — particularly SMS alerts for disseminating mass messages. For example, upon detection of p-waves that precede earthquake shaking, Japanese agencies send out SMS alerts to all registered mobile phones in the country.
ICTs for crowdsourcing
The use of 'crowdsourced' data is gaining traction with increasing Internet connectivity and use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) such as mobile phones. Crowdsourcing allows local people, mapping experts and other stakeholders to communicate what they saw and heard on the ground to produce information that could be used by humanitarian workers. Crowdsourcing can also help with pre-disaster activities, specifically risk identification and early warning.
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