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Experts from government, technology and global agencies met at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, to discuss how artificial intelligence can transform disaster management. Hosted by SEEDS and UNDRR, the dialogue focused on shifting from reactive response to anticipatory, hyperlocal and scalable risk governance. Speakers highlighted AI-driven early warning systems, predictive models using weather and satellite data, and offline tools for low-connectivity regions. Discussions also stressed legal frameworks, institutional readiness and community participation to ensure effective adoption. With growing climate risks across India and South Asia, the session underscored the need for integrated, people-centred disaster resilience systems powered by AI innovation.
Policymakers, disaster risk specialists, technologists and global experts gathered at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on February 16 for a high-level dialogue on AI for Disaster Management: Anticipatory, Hyperlocal, Scalable. The session was hosted by SEEDS (Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society) in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). Advertisement
The discussion focused on how artificial intelligence can shift disaster management from reactive response to continuous risk governance. Participants examined how AI can strengthen early warning systems, preparedness, response and recovery while supporting people-centred decision-making.
The session was moderated by Dr. Anshu Sharma, who brought together perspectives from government institutions, international agencies and the technology sector. The panel explored how AI tools can move beyond pilot projects and dashboards toward solutions that governments can adopt, trust and scale.
Prof. V.K. Sharma, Vice-Chairman of the State Disaster Management Authority, Sikkim, shared the state's experience of rebuilding after the 2011 earthquake. He explained how resilience was integrated into homes, hospitals and public infrastructure. Technology-enabled monitoring and vulnerability assessments were used to ensure accountability. He said the next step is systematic application of AI in regions facing recurring risks, particularly in the Himalayas and South Asia.
From a governance perspective, Dr. Sujit Kumar Mohanty of UNDRR highlighted the need for legal frameworks and institutional capacity to act on AI-driven insights. He noted that without policy readiness, advanced tools may remain underutilised.
Akshay Zadgaonkar, Director at SavyCode, spoke about India's approach to AI, focusing on resource-efficient and context-specific solutions. He highlighted the role of edge AI and lightweight models that can function offline in low-connectivity regions.
Anand Rajan, Founder of Apurva.ai, stressed the importance of inclusive systems that address long-tail vulnerabilities. He called for community participation in designing AI-driven solutions. Snehal Verma, Co-founder of NatureDots, discussed how predictive AI models can provide hyperlocal insights in water and natural resource management, particularly in data-scarce areas.
Arijit Das, Regional Director at SEEDS, demonstrated how AI is being integrated into disaster resilience programmes across India. By combining weather data, satellite imagery and vulnerability indicators, risk can be predicted at the community and asset level, enabling early action and faster recovery.
The session concluded with a call to build integrated, people-centred risk governance systems, positioning India's experience as globally relevant in addressing climate and disaster challenges.
Source: PTI
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