Flood and Landslide Hazards: Warning Systems and GSI's Role
Q: What is flood? What are flood forecasting and waning system? Give the detail of waning about landslide hazard and Geological Survey of India (GSI).
A Flood is an overflow of water that submerges land that is usually dry. It occurs when a water body exceeds its capacity or due to Cloudbursts. In India, managing these disasters requires a robust Early Warning System (EWS) to minimize loss of life and property.
1. Flood Forecasting and Warning System
The Central Water Commission (CWC) is the nodal agency for flood forecasting. The system involves:
- Data Collection: Real-time monitoring of Rainfall Intensity and river stages through Telemetry and satellite data.
- Forecasting: Using Mathematical Models to predict water levels at various downstream locations.
- Dissemination: Issuing Alerts (Yellow/Orange/Red) to local administrations and the public via radio, SMS, and sirens.
2. Landslide Hazard Warning and GSI
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) is the nodal agency for Landslide Susceptibility mapping and monitoring.
- Regional Early Warning: GSI operates Rainfall-Induced Landslide warning systems. If rainfall exceeds a specific Threshold, warnings are issued to district authorities.
- National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (NLSM): GSI has mapped over 4.2 lakh sq. km of landslide-prone areas in India to help in land-use planning.
- Instrumentation: At high-risk sites, GSI uses Piezometers and Inclinometers to detect slope movements before a failure occurs.
Definition of Key Term
Telemetry: The automated process of collecting and transmitting data from remote sensors (like river gauges) to a central receiving station for analysis. Example: Sensors in the Mahanadi Basin sending water level updates every hour to CWC.
Conclusion
Effective Disaster Mitigation depends on the synergy between Technology and community preparedness. As Odisha faces frequent hydro-meteorological disasters, the integration of GSI’s landslide data with local Disaster Management Authorities (OSDMA) is vital for building a Resilient Infrastructure.
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