Rain, floods, landslides: Kerala turns to AI for disaster preparedness

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A smart plan has been proposed to prevent recurring flood disasters in the state. The plan has been prepared by experts from IIT Roorkee, IIT Palakkad and IIIT Kottayam. The blueprint for the Kerala Flood Resilience Initiative was presented before the Chief Minister and ministers.

The blueprint includes scientific methods to tackle intense rainfall, urban waterlogging, riverine flooding, landslides and mudslides. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan directed the Water Resources Department and the Disaster Management Department to examine the feasibility, financial burden and implementation methods of the project in detail.

The departments have been asked to submit a report within a month. Further action will be taken based on the report. Ministers A.P. Anil Kumar, Sunny Joseph, T. Siddique and Mons Joseph, and Chief Secretary Biswanath Sinha also attended the meeting.

AI Assistance

• A system will be developed to identify flood-prone areas in advance and issue warnings. It will also include accurate rainfall forecasting systems.
• Technologies including artificial intelligence, machine learning, remote sensing and hydrodynamic modelling will be utilised.
• Measures to remove silt and soil from rivers, lakes and backwaters will be carried out based on studies of water flow.