Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham contributes to SDG 13.3.3 through co-operative planning for climate change disasters by integrating advanced technologies, community engagement, and interdisciplinary research. Initiatives include real-time landslide monitoring, early warning systems, resilience training for vulnerable populations, and collaborations with national and global agencies to develop sustainable disaster mitigation and climate adaptation strategies.
Based on initiatives under Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s World Center of Excellence on Landslide Risk Reduction, a team of six researchers from the Amrita Center on Wireless Networks and Applications visited Joshimath, Uttarakhand, in November 2022. Led by Prof. Maneesha V. Ramesh, Provost of Strategic Initiatives and Research, AI+X, the team aimed to study the extent of damage caused by landslides and land subsidence, as well as the community’s resilience in coping with these hazards.
Field investigations were conducted in Sunil village, Gandhi Nagar, and upper and lower Bazar. Crack measurements and semi-structured interviews revealed that residents live in constant fear of their homes collapsing, with some walls entirely destroyed. Coping mechanisms include applying cement to cracks and avoiding heavily damaged rooms. Many daily wage workers cannot afford alternative accommodations, and some have petitioned for permanent relocation.
Joshimath, a geologically fragile town near the Dhauliganga and Alaknanda rivers, faces increased land subsidence due to unplanned development, road widening, seismic activity, and inadequate ground assessments. Although residents suspect nearby hydro-power tunnels, no direct link has been found. Geological factors, including weathered rocks and tectonic activity along the Main Central Thrust (MCT), are primary contributors. Further studies supported by the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority are underway to address these challenges.
The inherent coping capacity of the community members is hindered due to high exposure to hazards as a result of the nature of the terrain. The lower valleys are interspersed with rivers and the higher elevation contain steep slopes with snow cover. They are often plagued by disasters which have drastically increased in recent times. Furthermore, These villages are densely populated. Most residents are of low socio-economic backgrounds. The team observed cracks in almost every house visited and there are signs of subsidence on the roads.
The team provided expert analysis to the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority. Further detailed investigations and analysis are to follow particularly in the areas of pore-pressure conditions, the thickness of soils, detained tectonic features and water supply and discharge. This will be done in collaboration with the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority, which extended full cooperation and logistic support to the visiting team.
Alappad, Kollam, November 4, 2023: A two-day program was organized in Alappad Panchayat, Kerala, by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s UNESCO Chair on Experiential Learning for Sustainable Innovation and Development, the Amrita School for Sustainable Futures, and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS). The event, held to mark the UN Tsunami Awareness Day, aimed to raise awareness and prepare the community for potential tsunami-related disasters as part of the Indian Tsunami Readiness Program developed by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO.
On November 4, awareness sessions and painting competitions were conducted for higher secondary students at GVHSS Cheriazheekal and GFHSS Kuzhithura. Over 100 students attended the interactive sessions, which included presentations on tsunami preparedness, disaster mitigation cycles, and safety measures to adopt during such events. The painting competition, which saw the participation of more than 60 students, highlighted the creative expression of children’s understanding of tsunamis. Certificates and mementos were awarded to the participants to recognize their efforts and enthusiasm.
An awareness workshop was also organized for 60 members of the AmritaSree Self-Help Group in Alappad Panchayat. The session was inaugurated by Sri Ullas Unni, President of Alappad Grama Panchayat, who lit the ceremonial lamp. The workshop was led by Dr. B. Ajay Kumar, Scientist at INCOIS, with translations into Malayalam by Dr. Dhanya M., Assistant Professor at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. The discussion centered on achieving the 11 indicators required for tsunami readiness as set forth by UNESCO’s program. Participants completed a baseline survey to assess the community’s current status and identify the necessary steps to improve preparedness and resilience.
Alappad Panchayat, located near Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s Amritapuri Campus and home to the Mata Amritanandamayi Math, was one of the areas most affected during the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. The community is now working toward becoming the second tsunami-ready community in India, guided by the standards established in the UNESCO program. This initiative reflects the ongoing commitment of the university and local stakeholders to enhance disaster preparedness and promote resilience in coastal areas.
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has once again cemented its position as a global leader in landslide research and risk reduction by being re-conferred the title of World Centre of Excellence on Landslide Risk Reduction (WCoEs) for the third consecutive time. The recognition was announced at the 6th World Landslide Forum held at the historic Palazzo dei Congressi in Florence, Italy, from November 14-17, 2023.
In a double honor, Amrita also received the International Program on Landslides, Kyoto Landslide Consortium (IPL-KLC) Award for Success, acknowledging the institution’s exceptional achievements in landslide research. Dr. Maneesha V. Ramesh, Provost of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and Director of the Amrita Centre for Wireless Networks and Applications, accepted the award, along with a cash prize of $3,000.
The prestigious IPL-KLC Award recognizes successful projects under the International Program on Landslides, evaluated on their impact and contributions over the past three years. Amrita’s standout publication, Landslide Early Warning Systems: Requirements and Solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction, India, was a key factor in securing the award. The book highlights the groundbreaking advancements in landslide detection and early warning systems, authored by Dr. Maneesha V. Ramesh, Hemalatha Thirugnanam, Balmukund Singh, M. Nitin Kumar, and Divya Pullarkatt.
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has been at the forefront of developing cutting-edge solutions for landslide-prone regions. The university successfully deployed the world’s first wireless sensor network system, later upgraded to an AI-integrated Internet of Things (IoT) platform, for landslide detection and early warnings. These systems have been operational since 2019 in the Western Ghats and the Himalayas, two global landslide hotspots.
The re-election of Amrita as a World Centre of Excellence by the International Programme on Landslides ensures its status as a key player in the global fight against landslide risks. The university will retain the title until 2026, continuing its mission to advance disaster risk reduction technologies and methodologies.
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has partnered with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to enhance dynamic multi-hazard risk modeling and develop rainfall threshold-based early warning systems for landslides. Through this collaboration, Amrita receives comprehensive meteorological data—including rainfall and temperature readings—from IMD’s extensive network of stations across India.
This data is integral to Amrita’s innovative Landslide Early Warning System (LEWS), which employs real-time monitoring of rainfall, soil moisture, pore-water pressure, and other geophysical parameters to predict landslide occurrences. By integrating IMD’s meteorological data with LEWS, Amrita aims to provide timely and accurate alerts, thereby mitigating disaster risks and enhancing community resilience.
New Delhi, September 1, 2022: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) successfully organized a one-day national seminar on “Mountain Hazards: Landslides, Snow Avalanches & GLOF Risk Reduction & Mitigation.” The seminar aimed to bring together experts and stakeholders to discuss best practices, share experiences, and shape the future of landslide risk reduction and mitigation strategies.
The event focused on finalizing the National Programme on Landslide Risk Reduction & Mitigation, with inputs from stakeholders to outline actionable steps for addressing mountain hazards. Topics ranged from early warning systems to effective mitigation strategies for hazards such as landslides, snow avalanches, and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
Dr. Maneesha V. Ramesh, Provost and Director, Amrita Centre for Wireless Networks and Applications of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, was a key invitee to the discussions. She presented insights on “Regional Scale Rainfall Threshold-Based Landslide Early Warning,” sharing her expertise and Amrita’s pioneering advancements in landslide research and early warning systems.
The seminar concluded with actionable recommendations to enhance resilience and safety in mountainous regions, reinforcing the need for collaboration among stakeholders to address the growing challenges posed by mountain hazards.