Designing a Geo-spatial Framework for Rapid Damage Assessment: A Case Study

Abstract

With increase in the number of natural hazards and disasters followed by economic losses, terms like disaster preparedness, response, relief and rehabilitation has become common to the decision makers as well as ordinary people. Since there is a great influence of occurrence of hazards and disaster upon a country’s economic growth, all government bodies are seek to find a way to reduce the adverse effect of a disaster. Rapid Damage Assessment (RDA) coupled with Rapid Damage Mapping (RDM) can assist decision makers to overcome the post-disaster crisis by providing necessary information for emergency response. The present paper aims to design a framework for RDA based on high resolution satellite image (IKONOS). RDA works in two phases, pre-disaster and post-disaster condition seeking to maintain alertness and prepared to serve quickly during disaster. To build the framework of RDA, an earthquake scenario has been simulated as an example. Rapid disaster mapping team equipped with modern communication technology could provide required information regarding safe zones, affected areas and level of damage. It is assumed that all required modern communication tools are available over there and the skilled workforce is equipped with modern map making softwares.

Keywords: Earthquake, Rapid Damage Assessment (RDA), Remote Sensing and GIS, IKONOS, Rapid Damage Mapping (RDM), Disaster Preparedness