RiskMap, an easy way to stay updated with flood related info
Posted on: 09/Nov/2017 4:11:52 PM
Chennai gets its tech-savvy mobile app called RiskMap to get updates on flood in the city sourced through Chennaites. With the onset of monsoon last week, the app was launched too.
The app is developed by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)`s Urban Risk Lab in association with TAT Center for Technology and Design at MIT.
The app is developed in partnership with Citizen Consumer and Civic Aviation Group (CAG), a Chennai based non-profit organization. This app intends sharing flood-related information and aid in being prepared for the monsoon.
With the power of social media, RiskMap would consolidate all the information about inundation and waterlogging in various parts of the city. All these details will be made available on a real-time map. Further, the app will allow public agencies to push their alert messages on the map.
Since the launch, there are about 25 reports. During a point of time when there was heavy downpour, there were about 13,000 users online. On the site, there are details of flood level, blocked drains, manholes that are kept open, fallen trees, and receding water can all be shared. In fact, there are reports about the need for immediate assistance that will be forwarded to the corporation engineers, said Satyarupa Shekhar, the head of CAG works on urban governance. Media relations and community outreach for the project are being devised along with MIT Team.
The app is very user-friendly. As it is a browser-based platform, it doesn’t demand any installation. Users can share reports on Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, etc. and affirms authenticity of the reports. The app will facilitate residents as well as government officials in gaining access to reports and comprehend with the latest flood conditions in the city.
Aditya Barve, a research scientist at Urban Risk Lab says the app stresses on the importance of taking necessary move at times of emergencies. It connects residents with emergency managers through social messaging. And people can stay updated with information and this can shorten response time.
Citizens can share rain related information. The app will be of great help for citizens, Chennai Corporation, and traffic police to get instant alerts, and also eliminates multiple cells.
