India sets global disaster management benchmarks with zero casualties

India is making significant progress in disaster management, especially with its zero-casualty approach. G. Srinivas Rao, a deputy director at the National Remote Sensing Centre, spoke about this at an event in Hyderabad. He noted that early warning systems play an essential role in preventing deaths from natural disasters. Rao referenced the devastating Super Cyclone that hit Odisha in 1999, which caused around 10,000 deaths due to limited technology. However, by 2013, advancements in technology, like scatterometers, improved the ability to predict cyclones. This allowed authorities to evacuate many people before Cyclone Phailin struck, resulting in no casualties. Despite India's achievements, many countries still lack effective early warning systems, making them vulnerable to disasters. Rao emphasized that climate change is worsening extreme weather, affecting even inland cities like Hyderabad. He noted that warming oceans lead to stronger cyclones that disrupt normal weather patterns. K. Nagaratna, head of the IMD Centre Hyderabad, also spoke at the event. She stressed the importance of quick communication and observation in reducing disaster risks. The World Meteorological Organization helps countries prepare for disasters, using a color-coded alert system to warn about threats. The event included students from local schools and showcased the ‘ISRO Space on Wheels,’ which highlights India's space missions like Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan.