Real Time Disaster Mangement
Arun M.
The Spice Garden of Kerala Idukki has much to boast of whether it’s historic arch dam that tops within world’s 10 largest arch dams and India’s third, Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR), first of its kind in the country with an emulative model of registered Tiger Conservation Foundation among others. One of the most favourite attractions of tourists across the world, Idukki, nestled in the Western Ghats, which is one of the eight hottest of hotspots of biological diversity on the globe as marked in UNESCO’s website, this land of adventures, scenic experiences, tranquilising misty mountains and sprawling plantations is often vulnerable to monsoon furies too. The district has faced over 600 landslides since 2000. Increasing incidents of man-animal conflicts, fragile hilltop roads and forest fires are common phenomenon here.
Recognising the urgent need to mitigate the impact of recurring natural disasters such as landslides, flash floods and road washouts, the Idukki District Administration has launched a real-time, district-wide, data-driven platform called the Idukki Disaster Resilience and Information System (IDRIS). The new multi-tiered technological initiative combines cutting-edge sensor technology, GIS-based risk mapping, machine learning models and robust grassroots governance to place the mountain district at the forefront of disaster preparedness in the country by assessing, monitoring and communicating risks in real-time. Spearheaded by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), the project will be piloted in Adimali and Rajakkad during this monsoon season. Software development and system installation are set to begin shortly, with a focus on tailoring the platform to the district’s specific geographic and climatic challenges. “IDRIS is the first of its kind in Kerala that combines hazard intelligence with development planning tools, thereby enabling proactive governance,” said Idukki District Collector V. Vigneshwari. “Preliminary groundwork has already been completed. Sensor deployment sites have been identified, GIS base layers have been prepared and coordination with local panchayats is in place, laying the foundation for real-time testing and data integration during the critical months ahead,” she added. Hence, IDRIS is expected to position Idukki as a national model for predictive, tech-enabled disaster resilience, where data and community readiness go hand in hand to safeguard lives and livelihoods.
Real-Time Monitoring Infrastructure
The system relies on a network of 46 landslide monitoring sensors, including inclinometers, piezometers, rain gauges and soil moisture sensors. Additionally, 48 river level gauges are strategically placed along major tributaries such as the Periyar, Thodupuzhayar and Pamba rivers. Data from these instruments are continuously streamed to a GISbased platform, which is updated live at the District Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC).
GIS-Based Risk Layering
The platform features advanced, multi-layered maps with landslide zones, floodplains, human-wildlife corridors, dam buffers, fault lines and climate-risk projections. These maps are overlaid with panchayat boundaries, locations of critical infrastructure and population density data, enabling precise and informed decision-making.
Smart Alert Protocols
IDRIS employs automated alert mechanisms based on predefined thresholds. These alerts are disseminated to relevant departments and the general public via SMS, IVRS (interactive voice response system), sirens and radio broadcasts. To ensure accessibility, the system supports a multilingual interface, offering alerts in Malayalam, English, Tamil and tribal dialects, thereby reaching even the most vulnerable and remote communities effectively. By embedding disaster risk reduction into the planning of key departments like PWD, Forest, Revenue and Agriculture, IDRIS promotes resilience in development. Finally, IDRIS builds institutional capacity by training officials, volunteers, school clubs and District Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC) staff in modern disaster response and planning tools. IDRIS is more than an early warning system — it serves as a planning backbone for sustainable development in Idukki, according to the District Administration. Future road and infrastructure projects will be approved only after cross-checking with slope failure and soil saturation maps, and public buildings like schools and hospitals will be restricted in high-risk landslide zones.
River gauge data and flash flood maps will guide the placement of check dams and weirs to prevent surges and enhance groundwater recharge. Reservoir operations at Idukki and Mullaperiyar, will be better coordinated using real-time rainfall and inflow data, allowing for timely, preventive discharges. At the local level, IDRIS will support water security by helping identify sites for tanks, ponds and rainwater harvesting structures, especially in drought-prone tribal areas. In forests, GIS and runoff data will be used to revive waterholes and salt licks, reducing wildlife intrusion into farmlands. Agricultural resilience will be boosted by sharing soil moisture and rainfall data with Krishi Bhavans to guide irrigation, crop choices and pest control. The system is people-centric and transparent — Panchayats will be trained to use ward-level data, citizens can access alerts and report issues via a mobile app, and all decisions and data logs will be open and auditable. For Idukki, this means no more poorly placed roads, safer livelihoods, reduced conflict in buffer zones, and the emergence of a resilient, investment-ready district focused on clean and green growth. IDRIS is Idukki’s commitment to a safer, smarter and stronger future.
-The writer is Assistant Information Officer at I&PRD, Idukki.