Floods have become an annual phenomenon in Assam. Every year millions of people are displaced and forced to take refuge in relief camps. As such, the Government of India allocates billions of rupees for relief efforts. It is important to ensure that the funds and resources are utilized efficiently and reach the right places. This has been a constant challenge as government data is stored scattered across various departments.
Recently, a breakthrough came in the form of CivicDataLabs (CDL), a startup that specializes in data integration and analytics, which partnered with the government of Assam to streamline and standardize disaster-related data.
CDL is addressing the problem of fragmented data by organizing and standardizing data sets from 18 different state government departments and central agencies. CDL has introduced the Open Contracting Data Standard, which has been adopted by over 50 countries. Assam is the first state in India to adopt this standard.
CDL used simple machine learning techniques to carry out hazard analysis and disaster modelling. Subsequent analysis identified high-risk districts and revenue zones, providing valuable insights to the Government of Assam.
CDL provides a comprehensive assessment of historical trends, which helps plan future monsoon cycles and recovery efforts. Using the model, the government of Assam was able to successfully identify areas that were previously overlooked. The data-driven approach has significantly improved resource allocation while also making flood relief efforts more efficient.
It has also expanded the capacity of Assam government departments. Previously, it was time-consuming to prepare analytical reports during disasters due to a lack of proper software and data visualization techniques.
New developments are rekindling interest in data science: Government officials are now actively promoting online courses on geospatial data management and AI.
