Role of Information Technology in Natural Disasters and Hazard Reduction An eye on Pakistan Earthquake

Kashif Adeel MS (Project Mgmt.), National University (NUCES), Lahore, Pakistan Quality Lead, Advasys Pvt. Ltd.

Roadmap

Own Experience - 8th Oct 2005 Earthquake in Pakistan Scientific information - Pakistan earthquake of 8 Oct 2005 Technologies for disasters prevention and management Remote Sensing Systems Geographic Information System Global Positioning System Warning and Forecasting System Internet Communication Technology

Roadmap

Information Systems required to manage disasters Strategies, Recommendations and Future plans Disaster Mitigation and Recovery Management References

for

Pakistan Population Area GDP (PPP) Province Capital Urban Population Rural Population Literacy rate 162 Million (Ranked 6th) 800,000 Sq. Km. (Ranked 34th) $ 392,526 Million (Ranked 26th) 4 Islamabad 33% 67% 44%

Proportion of People Killed per Type of Disaster (1980-2000)

70 60 50

69

40 30 20 10 0 Flood Earthquake Cyclone 11 2 Drought

UNDP

18

Earthquake Nature Almost unpredictable disaster No early warning

But we can protect ourselves & minimize the damage to our homes, schools & work places by using Information Technology

Earthquake hazard zones

Peak Ground Acceleration (m/s2)

Largest earthquake in Pakistan !

Date: 30 May 1935 Location: Quetta / Balouchistan Magnitude: 8.1 on the Richter scale Time: 19:00:46.9 UTC

Epicentre: 27.39N, 88.75E

Depth: 17 Kms

Death: 30,000

Pakistan 8th October Earthquake

Earthquake, 8 Oct 2005:

One of the strongest earthquakes in the area

Earthquake, 8 Oct 2005:

Magnitude: 7.6 on the Richter scale (USGS) 7.8 on the Richter scale (JMA) Classification: Major Aftershock: ~ 200 from 5.4 6.2 Date: Saturday 8 Oct 2005 Time: 8:50 AM at the local time

When disaster strikes, years of development can be wiped out in seconds

Earthquake Statistics
Dead: 73,000 persons This includes over 18,000 children Injured: 150,000 persons Overall affected: 3.2- 3.5 million persons Without Shelter: 2.8 million persons (approx.) Without adequate food: 2.3 million persons Employment loss: 325,000 persons (30%) Housing : 400153 shelter units destroyed or seriously damaged. 2.8 million persons without shelter Education : 4844 destroyed 2647 damaged Health : 455 destroyed 119 damaged Roads : 4429 km damaged (37%)
Source: Government of Pakistan - as of Nov 3, 2005

Time to Learn

In many areas of the world, like Pakistan and Iran, earthquake is the feature of our life Just we need is understanding the nature and characteristics of the earthquake We should learn how be prepared and what we should do when it happens.

Use the Right Technology!

DISASTER MANAGEMENT COMPONENTS

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

MITIGATION

RESPONSE

Risk analysis

Prevention

Preparedness

search & rescue

hazard assessment vulnerability vulnerabilit assessment y assessment risk assessment

structural measures nonstructural measures

warning and evacuation Planning of disaster response

humanitarian assistance rehabilitation

reconstruction reconstructio n

Information Technology!

Role of Technology and Systems Disaster Management Mitigation and Response

Technologies
Remote Sensing Systems Geographic Information System Global Positioning System Warning and Forecasting System Internet Communication Technology

REMOTE SENSING SYSTEM

Set of techniques used to obtain information about the earths surface and atmosphere at some distance , usually by means of radiation from the electro-magnetic spectrum. e.g Earth Observation and Weather satellites

Geographic Information System (GIS)

It is a computer system capable of integrating, storing, editing, analyzing, sharing, and displaying geographicallyreferenced information. e.g. GIS can allow emergency planners to easily calculate emergency response times in the event of a natural disaster

Role of GIS and Remote Sensing in various disasters

Earthquake Floods Landslides Search and Rescue

Global Positioning System

User at any point on or near the Earths can obtain instantaneous three-dimensional coordinates of their location.

Makes it possible to pinpoint the location of damage sites and floodplains.

Warning and Forecasting System

Forecasting, monitoring and issuing early warning plays the most significant role in determining whether a natural hazard will assume disastrous proportions or not.
Flood Cyclone

Earthquake warning station

Internet

Potentially revolutionary option for :

Rapid, automatic and global dissemination of disaster information.

e.g. RISEPAK - Relief Information System for Earthquakes Pakistan

Award Winning under Public Administrationcategory by Stockholm Challenge 2005-2006

Easy way to disseminate the information related to:

Weather observations Forecasts Satellite and other data

Communication Technology

Communication Technology is recognized as an integral to disaster management for a long time which include:
Internet Mobile Phones Fax E-Mail Radio and Television HAM Radio

Can be effectively used in mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.

Natural Disasters would keep happening, we cannot avoid them, so lets prepare ourselves. Lets build a Disaster Management Information System..............

Information Systems required to manage Disasters

Critical Incident Management System Supply Chain Management System Disaster Information System Integrated Financial Management System Applicant Assistance Centers Computer Networks

e.g IBM Crises Management System, SAHANA in Collaboration with NADRA Pakistan

In the coming years the new technologies in communication and information will potentially redefine the conventional disaster management system.

CONCLUSION
Recognizing the fact that hazard mitigation pays high social and economic

dividends. Carry out the engineering, architecture and planning measures -Risk Assessment -Land use zoning -Planning of habitat -Implementation of building codes Create the supportive structure of -public awareness -education and training -research and development about the safety from natural disasters Appropriate policy, financial and institutional support at national and state levels need to be provided for putting this strategy into a workable action plan.

Final Words..

The international community should demonstrate strong political determination required to mobilize adequate and make efficient use of existing resources, including financial, scientific and technological means, in the field of natural disaster reduction, bearing in mind the needs of the developing countries, particularly the least developed countries.

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to the participant: Industrial concerned Government People

References


Earthquake Pakistan online Portal www.earthquakepakistan.com/ US Geological Survey web resources on earthquakes http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/ Recommendation on Establishment of Early Warning Systems by Dr. Xuan, Chairman ICST UNESCAP, Bangkok World Disaster Report 2005 IFRC/RCS Disaster Preparedness: Mitigation and Response New Technologies and Systems by P.V.K. Reddy.IPS, Director NISA, Hyderabad

Relief Information Systems for Earthquakes Pakistan,

http://www.risepak.com/Default.aspx

Q&A