MNNIT and Isro develop software to predict landslides using satellite data

Prayagraj: Experts at Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT), in collaboration with scientists from Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), have developed an innovative software capable of predicting the location and timing of potential landslides.

This technological advancement aims to enhance disaster preparedness and minimise the impact of landslides.

The software analyses satellite data to make accurate forecasts and underwent successful testing in the hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh.

The team, led by associate professor Ramji Dwivedi of the Regional Geodesy Centre of MNNIT, already initiated the process of securing a patent for this invention.

"The work on developing the special software started in 2018. We handed over the software to the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad, which is a specialised wing of Isro. Since then, they have been using it, and now we are moving ahead with applying for a patent for this, after which it can be used by other agencies too," said Dwivedi.

Dwivedi said until now, work was done on the ground to know the possibilities of landslides. But now, through this software, by studying the data received from the satellite, it will be detected before the landslide occurs, which can prevent loss of life and property. The software compares the images of the earth and slopes of the hills and detects any slightest movement.

"The multi-pass images of any site on the earth have a gap period of 12 days, but if we can shorten this period by getting the images from satellites of other agencies, the prediction could be more reliable," said the expert.

He added that the software will be extremely effective in processing the data derived from S-Band images of Indian satellites or the L-Band data of US satellites, as the two nations are set to work closely for predicting natural phenomena of mass destruction like landslides.

Prayagraj: Experts at Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology (MNNIT), in collaboration with scientists from Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro), have developed an innovative software capable of predicting the location and timing of potential landslides.

This technological advancement aims to enhance disaster preparedness and minimise the impact of landslides.

The software analyses satellite data to make accurate forecasts and underwent successful testing in the hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh.

The team, led by associate professor Ramji Dwivedi of the Regional Geodesy Centre of MNNIT, already initiated the process of securing a patent for this invention.

"The work on developing the special software started in 2018. We handed over the software to the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad, which is a specialised wing of Isro. Since then, they have been using it, and now we are moving ahead with applying for a patent for this, after which it can be used by other agencies too," said Dwivedi.

Dwivedi said until now, work was done on the ground to know the possibilities of landslides. But now, through this software, by studying the data received from the satellite, it will be detected before the landslide occurs, which can prevent loss of life and property. The software compares the images of the earth and slopes of the hills and detects any slightest movement.

"The multi-pass images of any site on the earth have a gap period of 12 days, but if we can shorten this period by getting the images from satellites of other agencies, the prediction could be more reliable," said the expert.

He added that the software will be extremely effective in processing the data derived from S-Band images of Indian satellites or the L-Band data of US satellites, as the two nations are set to work closely for predicting natural phenomena of mass destruction like landslides.