AI-enhanced Integrated Alert System for effective Disaster Management

Effective communication systems supported by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are integral and important components for ensuring comprehensive disaster management. Continuous warning monitoring, prediction, dissemination, and response coordination along with public engagement by utilizing the capabilities of emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI) can assist in building resilience and ensuring Disaster Risk Reduction. Thus, for effective disaster management, an Integrated Alert System is proposed which encapsulates all concerned disaster management authorities, alert forecasting and disseminating agencies under a single umbrella for alerting the targeted public through various communication channels. Enhancing the capabilities of the system through AI, its integral part includes the data-driven citizen-centric Decision Support System which can help disaster managers by performing complete impact assessment of disaster events through configuration of decision models developed by learning inter-relationships of different parameters. The system needs to be capable of identification of possible communication means to address community outreach, prediction of scope of alert, providing influence of alert message on targeted vulnerable population, performing crowdsourced data analysis, evaluating disaster impact through threat maps and dashboards, and thereby, providing complete analysis of the disaster event in all phases of disaster management. The system aims to address challenges including limited communication channels utilization and audience reach, language differences, and lack of ground information in decision making posed by current systems by utilizing the latest state of art technologies.