ICR-ER Organises Third Seminar with SEOCs on Disaster Preparedness

The seminar emphasised achieving synergy among SEOCs of all States and Union Territories (UTs) and other agencies engaged in disaster mitigation. Delegates were urged to accelerate the use of technological tools to reduce the time taken to disseminate vital information during emergencies. A practical training session on the National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM 5.0) was conducted at ICR-ER to familiarise participants with measures for anticipation, risk mitigation and resource utilisation.

Experts from the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) and the Central Water Commission (CWC) offered technical inputs on early warning systems and related subjects. A session on artificial intelligence was held to outline how machine learning and predictive analytics can shift the prevailing approach and bolster operational response. The sessions were designed to improve the flow of information between the Centre and States.

The seminar also reviewed preparedness for Monsoon-2026 and encouraged a transition from a relief-centric model to a proactive, prevention-focused strategy for disaster management. Participants used the platform to identify gaps in coordination and to propose measures to strengthen interagency cooperation. The organisers indicated that continued emphasis on training and technology would support more resilient response arrangements.