Dr Nater Singh
The recent terrestrial rainfall on 4th Sept to 7th Sept, 2014 caused huge floods in Jammu and Kashmir. Catastrophic floods destroyed the land water and physical ecology of the state. Cultural landscape were totally damaged. To measure these various losses scientific techniques and administrative observation were used. But reality was far away.
Remote Sensing technique is one of the most suitable and appropriate scientific method which should be applied for the assessment and distribution of flood relief. The field of Remote Sensing encompasses techniques that obtain reliable information about earth’s surface from a distance. This is accomplished by measuring Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) emitted or reflected by the surface of the earth. Sun is a source of Electromagnetic energy. Transmission of the energy from the source(Sun) to the surface of the earth absorption and scattering. EMR interacts with the surface of the earth than reflection and re-emission takes place. Reflected/emitted energy from the surface of the earth observed by the sensor mounted on orbiting satellites provide a technology of carrying out fast and repetitive mapping, inventorying and monitoring of several kinds of renewable and non-renewable national resources and environmental impact assessment programme of important. Sensor transmits this data of the earth station processed and analyzed. Sensors are fitted with satellites. At present there are different satellites fitted with different sensors. LANDSAT(US), SPORT(France) and IRS(India) are main satellites providing various types of data of surface of the earth.
The satellite data of dated 4th Sept. to 7th Sept, 2014 shall be a suitable technology to assess the flood loss. Exact area covered by the flood water , main inlet and outlet of Jhelum water, water level of different lakes of Kashmir valley and water logged and eroded area and other required data shall be available through remote sensing. Aerial photographs makes it possible to make a complete and systematic analysis of landscape. To assess how many houses were covered by flood water is possible with the help of remote sensing. Imagery from Aerial and space plate forms can have valuable contribution in fool proof assessment of flood distribution and distribution of relief.
Tawi basin of Jammu province also experienced destruction during huge rainfall on lower part of Tawi basin. It was affected by flood water and upper reaches were triggered by land slides. Many villages of Udhampur, Doda, Poonch, Reasi and Rajouri were buried under the land slides. Remote sensing data can provide a valuable data of all the habitates which were destroyed by the land slides. Remote sensing data is available on basis of different times and different sensors.
Hence Remote sensing data is an over view for decision makers. All the administrators and decision makers on assessment and distribution of flood relief should make the best use of Remote Sensing technology which is scientific and dependable.
(The author is Principal GDC Billawar)
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