Disaster Management and GIS

Disaster management programs begin with locating and identifying potential emergency problems. Using a GIS, officials can pinpoint hazards and can evaluate the consequences of potential emergencies. GIS facilitates this process by allowing planners to view the appropriate combinations of spatial data through computer-generated maps. As potential emergency situations are identified, mitigation needs can be determined and prioritized. Disaster management team can begin to formulate mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery program needs. Availability of real time information, tailored software', distributed computing and real time analysis has facilitated the job of decision makers; and accordingly reduced the havoc which otherwise would have ensued. Updating of data through high resolution satellite imageries and use of disaster management software is discussed in detail whereas ground shaking has been considered as typical disaster scenario.