Assam becomes the first state to adopt a real-time digital flood reporting system

GUWAHATI: Assam chief secretary Jishnu Barua yesterday launched a real-time Digital Flood Reporting and Information Management System (FRIMS) here.

Launching the FRIMS, Barua said that managing floods that come in multiple waves are a very critical administrative function as it involves multiple departments and stakeholders.

Barua highlighted that though the administration is very conversant in dealing with flood, relief and recovery efforts heavily depend on continuous situational awareness and data availability.

Assam has a mandatory system of daily flood reporting between May 15 and October 15.

The current practice of flood reporting passes through a time-intensive manual verification and quality control system. However, it is different from the new system FRIMS.

Jointly developed by Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) and UNICEF, the new system will replace the present manual system with web application based technology-driven system which will help in efficient delivery of relief, ex-gratia, rehabilitation grants to the flood-affected people besides tracking of damages to agricultural crops, loss of livestock, infrastructure damages, etc. and providing financial assistance for restoration.

Assam has become the first state to adopt a robust digital reporting system that will capture the critical impact indicators during floods.

At the national level as well, UNICEF along with other UN agencies is supporting National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and has initiated work towards a national disaster management information system.

The system will go a long way in measuring the impact of disaster risk reduction interventions, particularly the anticipated ORR Road Map once it is finalised and implemented in the state.

The institution of this system is vital and it will increase efficiency in reporting, accelerate response and decision-making and address the data needs to enable monitoring and addressing of immediate needs of vulnerable groups, like children and women.

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The complete digital system of information flow will enable information feeding at the source, immediate alert-based verification at defined levels and automatic compilation.

The stakeholders including the media and those responding on the ground will have better access for faster decision making and planning.

The system will be operational from May 15 for online flood reporting on a daily basis.

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