Question

Cyclone Phailin (2013) was one of the strongest storms to hit India. Remote Sensing Satellite (RSS) helped in saving lives of over 1 million people who were evacuated from coastal areas.

Explain any five ways how Remote Sensing Satellite (RSS) lowers the death toll.

Answer 1

1. Early Track Prediction: Satellites track atmospheric disturbances days before landfall. This gives authorities ample time to plan large-scale evacuations of vulnerable populations.
2. Intensity Monitoring: Sensors measure core thermal structures and cloud-top temperatures. This data accurately predicts whether a storm will intensify, preventing unexpected impacts.
3. Storm Surge Modeling: Satellite altimeters map ocean surface topography and coastal bathymetry. This identifies exact zones at risk of catastrophic flooding from incoming waves.
4. Precise Landfall Mapping: Continuous imagery pinpoints the exact coordinates where the cyclone eye will cross the coast. This prevents unnecessary mass movement in non-threatened regions.
5. Post-Disaster Rescue Routing: High-resolution radar penetrates cloud cover to map flooded areas instantly. This allows emergency teams to locate trapped survivors and clear blocked supply routes.