Loading...

Author: admin

The colossal Himalayan risks – Himachal Floods of 2023. Are we prepared? 

Posted on by admin Natural Calamity Uncategorized # # # # # # # # # # # Leave a Comment on The colossal Himalayan risks – Himachal Floods of 2023. Are we prepared? 

The Indian Himalayan region (IHR) is spread across 13 states/union territories, and nearly 50 million people reside there. IHR stretches about 2,400 kilometres across the northern border of India, covering an area of approximately 500,000 km2. In IHR, natural hazards such as landslides, avalanches, cloudbursts, floods and flashfloods are common, especially during the June-to-September monsoon season, and they often become disastrous for those living on the Himalaya’s fringes. The disastrous events are becoming more frequent as global warming melts the Himalayan glaciers. According to the Global Climate Risk Index Report 2019, India is the 14th most vulnerable country in the world to climate extreme events. India suffered an economic loss of USD 79.5 billion due to climate-related disasters in the last 20 years, according to the UN report titled Economic Losses, Poverty and Disasters (1998-2017). The economic losses due to disasters in the state of Himachal were nearly Rs 8,000 crore between 2017 and 2022 (Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority). The annual losses from climate-related disasters are steadily increasing everywhere. This shows that more people and infrastructure are exposed to natural hazards, leading to increased climate risk. The 2,500 km-long Himalayan plate boundary is also intensely prone to powerful earthquakes. Scientists fear a great earthquake of 8.5 magnitude or higher in the region. Such a predicted seismic event will create cascading disasters and have a catastrophic effect on the area. Are we prepared for such extreme events?

Although the population density is not very high, the states in IHR attract a vast number of tourists. The rapid urbanization and tourism activities are leading to increased human interference in the fragile hilly areas, especially in the Himachal and Uttarakhand regions. There has been an unprecedented growth in tourist arrivals in the Indian Himalayan states in the past few years. It is estimated that by 2025, 240 million tourists will visit yearly; it was 100 million in 2014, see Figure 1 (NITI Aayog, 2018). The extensive development and tourism activities will affect the soil strength and cause soil loosening. During extreme rainfall events, the soil can easily crack, trigger landslides and lead to road blockages. The impetus to urbanization and unparalleled tourism is bound to bring rapid regional climate variations and transform natural disasters into man-made or anthropogenic disasters.

Figure 1 Tourist arrival forecast in the IHR states by 2025 (Source: NITI Aayog, 2018)

Hazard scenario in Himachal

Floods in Himachal have been a damaging phenomenon, and one of the earliest records of destructive floods dates back to 1894 in River Beas. There were flash flood events in Beas in the 1980s, and the flood situation worsened from 1992 to 1996, see Figure 2. Extreme rainfall during the monsoon season is the primary cause of floods in the state; however, cloudbursts and landslides also contribute to floods. In 1971-2009, 362 flood events were recorded in the state. Though the flood frequency was high at certain periods, the overall trend shows an increase in flood events in the state. The spatial distribution of floods in the state is shown in Figure 3 (left). 

Figure 2 Flood frequency and trend in Himachal Pradesh from 1971 to 2009
Figure 3 Spatial distribution of floods (left) and landslides (right) in Himachal Pradesh (Source: Simrit Kahlon, 2014)

The state also has an established history of landslides. Landslide activities in the past were majorly associated with earthquakes and extreme rainfall events. As per the Government of India (2003), nearly 97.42% of the state’s geographical area is prone to landslide hazards. Historic landslide locations and frequency are shown spatially in Figure 3 (right). The decadal frequency of landslides in all the districts has risen since the 1980s, refer to Figure 4. In the 1990s, 219 events were recorded in the state, at an annual average of about 22 events. In comparison, 474 events were recorded in the 2000s, at a yearly average of about 47 events per year. Table 1 shows a clear increase in the decadal distribution of floods and landslides in the state from the 1980s till the 2000s.

Figure 4 Landslide frequency in Himachal Pradesh from 1971 to 2009 (Source: Simrit Kahlon, 2014)
DecadeTotal LandslidesDecadal AverageTotal floodsDecadal Average
1980-1989626.2343.4
1990-199921921.915215.2
2000-200947447.411311.3
Table 1 Decadal distribution of landslides and floods (Source: Simrit Kahlon, 2014 & Chandel et al., 2014)

State Calamity in 2023

Himachal Pradesh and other neighbouring states experienced torrential rains and landslides during the 2023 monsoon season. Himachal Pradesh was worst hit and bore the brunt of the rain. As per the weather department, Himachal has received 249.6 mm of average rainfall between July 1 and July 11 compared to the normal of 76.6 mm, an excess of 226 per cent and the highest for a 12-day period since 2005. In particular, the Kinnaur district received 500 per cent excess rains, followed by Solan, Sirmaur, Shimla, Bilaspur and Kullu districts with 426, 367, 360, 325, and 283 per cent excess rainfall. On August 18, the Himachal state government declared the rains a ‘state calamity’ and the whole state a ‘natural calamity affected area’. According to the government data, 72 flash floods were recorded in the state from the onset of monsoon on June 24 until September 4, 50% of which occurred from July 8-10 only (IMD, Shimla Centre). In comparison, only ten flash flood events were recorded in 2020, see Figure 5. Cloudbursts were reported in the Tunag, Pundoh and Seraj districts, and 131 landslide incidents were reported across the state. Unprecedented extreme rainfall and rainfall-related catastrophic events, cloud bursts, landslides and flash floods demolished buildings, damaged bridges and washed off several vehicles.

Figure 5 Frequency of flash floods from 2020 till 2023

DEVASTATION AND IMPACT

The 6th Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has clearly stated that the Indian Himalayan region (IHR) and Indian coastal region are at high risk from climate change. As many as 348 people have died, and 336 have been injured since June 24 due to monsoon-led natural calamities such as extreme rainfall, cloudbursts, landslides, and building collapses. The State Disaster Management Department said that nearly 2,230 houses were fully damaged, and 9,819 were partially damaged (retrieved from the Indian Express articles/reports on the events). The monsoon-led calamities have also disrupted roads, power lines, communication networks and railway lines. About 1,200 roads were blocked or inundated due to landslides and floods in the state.

We used the Sentinel-1 SAR data to map the flood extent of the affected area in Google Earth Engine. This was achieved by comparing the before-flood (June) satellite imagery with after-flood satellite imagery (July-Aug). Figure 6 shows that major flooding happened around the Beas River in the Kangra district and the Sutlej River in the Bilaspur district. An assessment at the district level shows that 368 km2, about 6.4% of the district area, got flooded in Kangra district (see Figure 7), and in the case of Bilaspur district, 69 km2, around 5.9% of the district area got flooded (see Figure 8). 

Figure 6 Flood area extent in Himachal Pradesh
Figure 7 Flood area extent in Kangra district
Figure 8 Flood area extent in Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh

We have also assessed the extent of damage to the vegetative cover in the state using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) on Sentinel-2 multi-spectral imagery, see Figure 9. The land cover changes were assessed for five classes, of which three classes are Sparce Vegetation (Crops and grass), Moderate Vegetation (Agroforestry) and Dense Vegetation (Forests); see Table 2 for the changes in the area under each class.  The results show that approximately 3956 km2 of vegetative land, about 7.1% of the state, has been converted to wasteland or fallow land after the floods. In particular, there is a reduction of 5952 km2 of forest land in the state. 

Figure 9 NDVI maps of Himachal Pradesh highlighting the extent of vegetation damage. Top left: Before flood, Top right: After flood, Below: Difference image highlighting the damage
ClassesDescriptionBefore floods (in km2)After floods (in km2)
Non-VegetationWater (deep & shallow); sand2613927625
Waste LandFallow/Wasteland650610462
Sparse VegetationCrop, grass32744373
Moderate VegetationAgroforestry71566569
Dense VegetationForest125186566
Table 2 Land cover classification of Himachal Pradesh Using Sentinel-2 and NDVI. Note: Total area of Himachal Pradesh is 55673 km2

A similar analysis is conducted for the most affected districts in the state. In the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, about 1238 km2 of land under crops & agroforestry was affected by the floods, which is about 21.5% of the district and 46% of the crops & agroforestry cover, refer to Table 3 and Figure 10.  In Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, about 172 km2 of land under crops & agroforestry was affected by the floods, which is about 9% of the district and 35% of crops & agroforestry cover, refer to Table 4.  In Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh, approximately 1301 km2 of forest land was affected by the floods, which is about 25.35% of the district and 81.5% of the total forest cover, refer to Table 5.  In the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, approximately 1278 km2 of forest land was affected by the floods, which is about 32.3% of the district and 72% of the total forest cover, refer toTable 6. The results show that the floods impacted vast areas under crops, agroforestry and forests. 

Figure 10 NDVI maps of Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh highlighting the extent of vegetation damage. Top left: Before flood, Top right: After flood, Below: Difference image highlighting the damage
ClassesDescriptionBefore floods (in km2)After floods (in km2)
Non-VegetationWater (deep & shallow); sand13281820
Waste LandFallow/Wasteland510825
Sparse VegetationCrop, grass1467500
Moderate VegetationAgroforestry1223952
Dense VegetationForest21771608
Table 3 Land cover classification of the Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh Using Sentinel-2 and NDVI. Note: Total area of Kangra district is 5739 km2

ClassesDescriptionBefore floods (in km2)After floods (in km2)
Non-VegetationWater (deep & shallow); sand182596
Waste LandFallow/Wasteland300491
Sparse VegetationCrop, grass221202
Moderate VegetationAgroforestry466313
Dense VegetationForest787354
Table 4 Land cover classification of Solan district in Himachal Pradesh Using Sentinel-2 and NDVI. Note: Total area of Solan district is 1936 km2

ClassesDescriptionBefore floods (in km2)After floods (in km2)
Non-VegetationWater (deep & shallow); sand15502410
Waste LandFallow/Wasteland9141429
Sparse VegetationCrop, grass348465
Moderate VegetationAgroforestry724532
Dense VegetationForest1595294
Table 5 Land cover classification of Shimla district in Himachal Pradesh Using Sentinel-2 and NDVI. Note: Total area of Shimla district is 5131 km2

ClassesDescriptionBefore floods (in km2)After floods (in km2)
Non-VegetationWater (deep & shallow); sand5081720
Waste LandFallow/Wasteland445760
Sparse VegetationCrop, grass297381
Moderate VegetationAgroforestry918584
Dense VegetationForest1780502
Table 6 Land cover classification of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh Using Sentinel-2 and NDVI. . Note: Total area of Mandi district is 3950 km2

Is climate change alone to be blamed?

Climate change must have increased the intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, but is climate change alone to blame for all the devastation in Himachal Pradesh? The high impact of the rains was observed in the areas with high infrastructure development, deforestation for infrastructure and hill cutting for road widening. Mega hydropower projects and several dams were constructed in the fragile and eco-sensitive zones of the state. As per the 2022 landslide risk assessment report by the Himachal government, 77 blocks having 18,577 villages are landslide-prone. As per the experts, the reason for that is deforestation and the replacement of old stone and clay houses with concrete ones. An investigation by India Today revealed that many buildings that collapsed or were damaged in the floods were constructed on river banks or active floodplains by encroaching. The revenue records have also not defined the river boundaries, which gave rise to illegal constructions, threatening ecosystems and human life. Thefloods have also brought attention to the illicit mining and construction activities on the river banks. Tourism rush, rapid urbanization and unplanned infrastructure development are the major causes of massive devastation in the state.

Mansi Asher, who has published several papers on the changing climatology of Himachal Pradesh, said, “There is enough data from the department of science and technology of Himachal government to suggest that frequency of cloudbursts have increased, and so have landslides. The maximum impact was seen near the infrastructure sites which disturb the hills.”

Are we prepared?

The Himalayan region is a dynamic landscape and is at a high risk from climate change. The people living in these areas are prone to high seismic activities, cloudbursts, floods, extreme rainfall events, and forest fires. Clearly, massive efforts are required to protect the people and infrastructure in the Himalayan region from climate change disasters. The monsoon floods in Himachal have caused massive devastation, and the state is in need of an effective multi-hazard preparedness and disaster mitigation programme. 

Need for climate vulnerability assessments at village level

An effective disaster mitigation programme will have several components. Some of the major components include hazard mapping, hazard impact assessments, vulnerability assessments, risk assessments, and deriving mitigation strategies based on cost-benefit analyses. Vulnerability assessments are an inevitable prerequisite for disaster risk reduction and climate change mitigation measures. Climate change vulnerability assessments at the community level or village level will reinforce the disaster preparedness of the state. Village-level vulnerability and risk assessments will assist policymakers and decision-makers in effectively increasing the adaptive capacity and preparedness towards extreme weather events. It also helps in prioritizing the villages for resource allocation. It also helps in community-based disaster management, i.e., encouraging communities at risk to get engaged in all phases of disaster management. 

Sustainable land-use planning

Another component that needs attention is land-use planning. Sustainable land-use planning, which encourages people living in the most vulnerable areas to move, is essential. Sustainable Land Use Planning for urban climate resilience includes:

  • limiting development in hazard-prone areas
  • ensuring that the built environment can withstand a range of natural disasters
  • helping to preserve natural ecosystems
  • protecting communities against hazards
  • promoting nature-based measures for adaptation
  • educating stakeholders and decision makers about risks and opportunities and fostering dialogue about adaptation

In Himachal, several houses were illegally constructed in the flood plains and river banks. They are at high risk from future climate hazards. The government needs to bring strict land-use planning that encompasses the disaster and climate risks.

We also need to update our risk assessment methodologies and develop disaster mitigation strategies using the geographic information system (GIS) and remote sensing technologies. Web-GIS-based decision support systems are extremely helpful for governments, research organizations, companies, communities, and NGOs to transfer knowledge and expertise, and share the available data.

References:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/298274899_Landslides_in_Himalayan_Mountains_A_Study_of_Himachal_Pradesh_India

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/303436834_Flood_Disaster_in_Mountain_Environment_A_Study_of_Himachal_Pradesh_India

https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/dead-missing-heavy-rainfall-batters-himachal-pradesh-mandi-district-8905546/

Unlocking the Transition: Harnessing GISKernel to Move Seamlessly from ArcGIS Web App Builder to Experience Builder

Posted on by admin Services # # # # # # Leave a Comment on Unlocking the Transition: Harnessing GISKernel to Move Seamlessly from ArcGIS Web App Builder to Experience Builder

In the rapidly evolving landscape of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), innovation is the compass guiding us forward. As technology ushers in new possibilities, ESRI’s ArcGIS suite stands at the forefront, offering transformative tools like Web App Builder and Experience Builder. If you’re ready to unleash the full potential of your GIS applications, here’s our comprehensive guide to effortlessly transit your applications from Web App Builder to the dynamic Experience Builder. 

Embracing Evolution for Exponential Growth 

In the ever-adapting world of GIS, staying stagnant is not an option. Begin by emphasizing the power of evolution and how transitioning from Web App Builder to Experience Builder is not just a step but a leap towards exponential growth in your application capabilities. As the digital landscape evolves, so do the tools at your disposal. Imagine a future where your GIS applications transcend the ordinary, offering a dynamic user experience that captivates, educates, and engages. This is the promise of Experience Builder, ESRI’s cutting-edge solution that takes your applications from functional to phenomenal.  

From Web App Builder to Experience Builder 

Nearly, all the functionality used in Web AppBuilder is available in Experience Builder, along with the additional functionality. The ready to use widgets can be directly implemented in Experience Builder which are used in Web App Builder. Though Experience Builder is different from Web AppBuilder in a variety of ways. Because of these differences, directly converting custom widgets and themes from WAB to Experience builder is not possible. There’s when we, GISKernel can elevate your experience to shift from WAB to Experience builder very seamlessly and intuitively. You can visit this link where ESRI has provided the functionality matrix between these two. Such implementation of built-in widgets can be done smoothly. Experience Builder, like Web AppBuilder, is a low-to-no-code tool for creating web apps that interact with ArcGIS data. One difference between them is their underlying technology: Experience Builder is built on ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript (Web AppBuilder was built on ArcGIS API for JavaScript). 

Why to choose Experience Builder 

Experience Builder offers a higher level of customization than Web AppBuilder. In Experience Builder, an experience is a web app that you build using drag-and-drop functionality to position maps, images, menus, and other widgets and tools on a page. The developer edition of WAB will be retired in July 2024. See below for some comparison between WAB and Experience Builder. 

  • In WAB, user can opt either for 2D or 3D application to start with. While in Experience Builder, 2D and 3D content are supported in one app. When it comes to variety of templates to start with, Experience Builder offers wide range of options rather than WAB. 

  • The most important feature of Experience Builder is that user can change the widget setting from docked window and visualize it in real-time on application. Whereas in WAB, the widget setting page comes with popup window which restricts the user to see changes while applying from the page. 

Experience Builder Widget Settings Page

Web App Builder Widget Settings Page 

  • Experience builder supports integration of multipage apps for display on fixed or scrolling screens. That means a user can add an internal Page link button which will redirect the application to another page. The page can be map-centric or just the info page.  
  • Experience builder can create interactions between widgets. Data actions provide an Actions button that end users can click in widgets at runtime and select from a list of actions to perform, such as exporting records to a file. Such implementations cannot be done in WAB.  

Challenges in shifting and how GISKernel can help you with it? 

The most important challenge to face while migrating from WAB to Experience Builder is the technology difference between these two. While WAB is built on ESRI JS API (3.x), Experience builder is developed using JavaScript SDK (4.x). Along with that, another major difference or we can say the advantage is React integration with Experience Builder. It is very important to stay up to date with recent innovations and developments. Such integration of React along with Redux is very helpful to carry out the advance level of custom widget development. That is where GIS Kernel can be very resourceful for such tasks. Transitioning from Web App Builder to Experience Builder is not a leap into the unknown—it’s a well-guided journey. We at GIS Kernel have experience in both WAB and Experience Builder custom development. Already many of the stakeholders have started shifting to Experience builder the major concerns come when developing a custom widget that has already been there in WAB. We have segmented the process of such custom widget development in Experience Builder which explain the step-by-step process for it.  

GISKernel helps you the shift from WAB to Experience Builder by implementing your WAB widgets and transforming them into the Experience Builder widgets with more efficient design. We can also help you with developing the out of the box custom widgets based on your requirement and integrate it to the Experience Builder Application. We can help you to design your application by developing the UI/UX theme for the application for the smooth user experience without any hassles. Experience builder comes with ready-to-use and advanced level widgets, but when it comes to develop the custom widget or enhance the default widgets, we can help you for such developments. Also, as we have learned above that we can add pages to the experience builder application, GISKernel can help you to design and develop such applications where user can navigate to multiple pages for more informative content.  

The journey from Web App Builder to Experience Builder is a transformative adventure—one that promises innovation, engagement, and growth. We are ready to take the next step in shaping the future of your GIS applications, are you? If yes, then sooner than better! Let’s dive into Experience Builder today and unlock a world of possibilities that will elevate your applications beyond imagination. 

The deadly Hawaiian wildfire burned thousands of acres of land, and it won’t be the last!

Posted on by admin Natural Calamity # # # # # # # Leave a Comment on The deadly Hawaiian wildfire burned thousands of acres of land, and it won’t be the last!

Wildfires can spread at shocking speeds, burn thousands of acres of land and consume everything in their path. Hawaii is not historically known for wildfires, but just like any other country in the world, it is increasingly under siege from climate extreme events. As the US is expected to get hotter and drier with climate change, the risk of wildfires is also increasing. Hawaii has been at high risk lately; this month alone, the federal government declared six different fire disasters in Hawaii! As per FEMA’s National Risk Index, the Maui County of Hawaii, which bore the brunt of the recent wildfire, has a higher risk index than nearly 88% of the counties in the US. According to the federal government’s National Climate Assessment and the National Interagency Fire Center, the average burned area due to wildfires in the US increased three-fold post-1980s. In contrast, the average burned area in Hawaii increased five-fold post-1980s, said University of Hawaii Manoa fire scientist Clay Trauernicht. 

“We’ve been getting these large events for the last 20 to 30 years,” he said from Oahu.

Millions of acres of cropland have been replaced with grasslands. “These grasses can just dry out in a few weeks, and it doesn’t take extreme conditions to make them flammable”, said Stanford University climate scientist Chris Field.

The interval of June to August 2023 was a period of worsening drought in Hawaii. As the drought worsened, the fires were exacerbated by the large tracts of the dried vegetation.

The 2023 Hawaii wildfire burned through 31.31% of the land area in the four islands of Maui, Kahoolawe, Malakal and Lanai 

As per our analysis, the wildfire that started on the night of 8th August 2023 burned through 31.31% of the land area in the four islands of Maui, Kahoolawe, Malakal and Lanai. Nearly 4,942 acres of land (about 20 square kilometres) experienced severe burning, and almost 68,942 acres (about 280 square kilometres) experienced moderate burning.  As of August 15th, the officials estimated that 3,200 acres of land had burned due to wildfires.

Burnt area classification using the Normalised Burn ratio (NBR) index on Sentinel-2 satellite imagery

Dense vegetation reduced by 3646.3 acres

We also analyzed the reduction in vegetation cover as a result of the recent wildfires. Using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), we identified the area under vegetative cover before and after the fire. There is a reduction in sparse vegetation (crops and grass) by 12.42 acres, moderate vegetation (agroforestry) by 264.37 acres, and dense vegetation (forest) by 3,646.3 acres.

NDVI classification pre-fire and post-fire using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery

Smoke rises as the wildfire burns in Hawaii

As the world warms, as the wildfires increase in number, the air pollution caused by wildfires is also expected to surge. Wildfire smoke is a mixture of hazardous air pollutants, such as CO, NO2, ozone, aromatic hydrocarbons, or lead and poses serious risks to human health. With the episodes of wildfires becoming frequent either due to climate change or anthropogenic processes, there is a need to monitor the pollutants and analyze the influence of fires on the air quality. There is a significant increase in the concentration of some pollutants during wildfires, as shown below.

Plots were generated using GIOVANNI (NASA)

 Decrease in the ozone concentration during the wildfire

We noticed a significant increase in the UV aerosol index, which is a measure of the episodic aerosol plumes from dust outbreaks. The chemicals released from the wildfire can trigger chemical reactions that erode the protective ozone layer. As shown below, we noticed a decrease in the ozone concentration in and around Maui island during the wildfire. 

The plot was generated using GIOVANNI (NASA)

To summarise, we demarcated the burnt areas in the islands of MalokaI, Lanai, Kahoolwe and Maui using NBR on Sentinel-2 satellite imagery. The results show a total burnt area of 950.77 km2 , which is 31.31% of total area. We also computed the reduction in the area under vegetation using NDVI on Sentinel-2 satellite imagery. The results show that the dense vegetation which includes the forest land reduced by 3646.3 acres. In addition, the pollutants were monitored pre-wildfire and post-wildfire. There is a clear increase in the concentration of pollutants NO2, SO2, CO, and CH4. We noticed a decrease in the ozone concentration during the wildfire. There is also a significant increase in the aerosol index which measures the episodic aerosol plumes from dust outbreaks.

Wildfires will only get worse. Will wildfires start a new era of air pollution? The fires have torn through vegetation, released toxin chemicals, polluted the air and water, and affected not just humans but also the flora and fauna of the area. Experts warn that climate change-related disasters, such as the one unfolding in Hawaii, will only get more intense and more frequent. 

Disclaimer: The emperical data / numbers quoted in the article to quantify the impact of the Hawaiian wildfire is based on our research analysis only and not part of any offical report.

The Curious case of querying large raster datasets on the fly via an internet facing portal.

Posted on by admin Agriculture # # # # # # # # Leave a Comment on The Curious case of querying large raster datasets on the fly via an internet facing portal.

Geospatial data is quite different from any other data you can work with it being difficult to understand and manipulate, one of our clients came up with a unique request to work with raster datasets and find a particular value of a pixel and statistical information on the fly which was also understandable to a no GIS user. Although, this may seem simple enough process but let me explain how it is quite different on the surface and what’s beneath. But first of all, let’s get into what are different Geospatial datasets.

Geospatial data can be broadly divided into two parts:-

Vector Data: Vector data represents geographic features as points, lines, and polygons. It includes information about the coordinates, shape, and attributes of these features. Examples of vector data include road networks, boundaries, buildings, and vegetation boundaries. Vector data is often used for detailed spatial analysis and precise representation of features.

Raster Data: Raster data represents geographic information as a grid of cells or pixels, where each cell contains a value. It is commonly used to represent continuous phenomena, such as elevation, satellite imagery, and climate data. Raster data is structured as a grid, and each cell corresponds to a specific location and carries information about the attribute being represented.

Since in GISKernel, we have an expertise in working with different type of Geospatial data one of our client came up with a unique request of processing Raster data quite smoothly and fast, as Raster data is continuous and quite large on the fly information of a particular cell/ grid have to either stored as a cache or takes time to show up. Furthermore, the client which we were working on doesn’t have any mapping interface to process the request as they wanted a particular cells grid/ information either as a pixel value or a band value.

As Raster are huge files, finding a particular pixel value on a non-mapping interface is like finding a needle in the stack. Also, Raster’s and databases dont fit in well with each other as the data tables are to be created with raster datasets which eventually leads to change in raster datasets data creation, furthermore we needed to filter huge amount of spatial data which tens of thousands of people would be able to query on the fly via just uploading the raster files to the portal.

To tackle all the abovementioned scenarios, we curated a custom application which consisted of:-

Using AWS S3 buckets for Data storage:- We chose S3 buckets for Data Storage for continuous access over the cloud and availability of data, as different users can upload, and the application can access the data everywhere once connected with internet.

Backend data management via POSTGRES SQL:- We chose POSTGRES as it was open source and free to use. Also, it is malleable with geospatial data types, these included running fast spatial queries either from a database or an API with using raster2pgsql extension in backend to allow raster datasets to sit in and be allowed to query.

GDAL Libraries:- To properly use this tool, we also used GDAL libraries which improved raster data handling massively.

Django Based API application:- We used this API to provide a seamless experience for our users once they have the access to the application hosted over the internet. This frontend assisted our users in querying out all the requirements from getting a particular pixel value in a raster dataset to getting a mean median and mode of an extent which massively reduced their dependency on directly accessing the datasets and then applying queries. 

Architecture:-

Application Overview:-

The simple application structure of an odd task greatly reduced the stress on database maintenance, user accessibility, and non-GIS users accessing spatial datasets. As a GIS folk we understand how rasters work and a particular value from a grid is easy for us to load up on a map and imagine, but the effectiveness of this tool can help any non GIS user to extract data from a raster dataset without the hassle of loading, downloading and deleting a GIS software.

How Has GISKernel Been Adding Value for its Customers since 2018

Posted on by admin Services # # # # # # # Leave a Comment on How Has GISKernel Been Adding Value for its Customers since 2018

Introduction

GISKernel is a leading provider of Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing services. The company, led by Akshay Loya, offers a range of services, including GIS consulting, software development, and data management. Our vision is to help organizations leverage the power of GIS technology to improve their operations and achieve their goals.

The company has a proven track record of success, serving a growing number of satisfied clients each year. Through a commitment to understanding the customers’ needs and delivering top-notch products and services, GISKernel is positively impacting the businesses and organizations it serves. In this blog post, we aim to highlight the ways in which GISKernel is adding value for its customers.

How Has GISKernel Been Adding Value for its Customers?

#1 Understanding the Customer’s Needs

At GISKernel, the key to delivering value to its customers is by taking the time to understand their needs and goals. We make a concerted effort to engage with our customers, listen to their requirements, and gain an understanding of what they hope to achieve with the help of GIS technology.

This way, we ensure that the services and products we deliver are tailored to the specific needs of each customer. Even the founder of Construction Maps, Stepanka, asserted, “They made time to clearly understand the scope, always responded in a timely manner” to provide progressive updates to their projects regularly. Hence, our work satisfied the customers and helped us to build long-term relationships with them.

#2 Delivering High-Quality Products and Services

GISKernel is committed to delivering high-quality products and services to its customers. Our team of experienced GIS specialists and app developers is dedicated to ensuring that every project they take on is executed with precision and a commitment to delivering the best possible outcome.

One of the key ways we can consistently deliver high-quality products and services is by staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in GIS technology. Our team of experts regularly attends industry events, workshops, and training programs, to ensure that they have the knowledge and skills they need to provide the best possible service to our customers.

We also employ a rigorous quality control process, where every project we undertake is subject to multiple levels of review and testing, to ensure that the products and services we deliver are of the highest quality. One of our clients, Akhtar Abbas – the lead distributor in Airtel Payments Bank, believes that GISKernel provides “seamless delivery with no compromise on quality of work.” This commitment to quality, combined with our expertise in GIS and application development, is what allows us to consistently yield exceptional results for our customers.

#3 Simplifying Technical Concepts

We understand that not everyone is familiar with the technicalities of GIS and application development. That’s why we make it a point to simplify complex technical concepts and present them in a way that can be easily understood by non-technical customers. It, in turn, leads to better communication, increased collaboration, and a deeper understanding of the solutions we deliver.

In addition to improving communication and understanding, this approach has the counted benefit of making the development process more efficient. When our customers have a clear insight into what we are trying to achieve, they are better equipped to provide the information and feedback we need to deliver results that exceed their expectations.

Here is what the Managing Director of Wondergenie PPMO &C, Aseem Saxena, said: “GISKernel made it look very simple and easy to understand and delivered with absolutely zero errors in an inconceivable timeline.”

#4 Finding Innovative Solutions

GISKernel has a team of experts with a broad knowledge of GIS applications and development experience. This expertise enables us to select the most appropriate tools and technologies and find the best solution for each of our customer’s unique needs.

Our team stays up-to-date with the latest advancements in GIS technology and continuously develops their skills to ensure that they are consistently delivering cutting-edge solutions to our customers. With this deep understanding of the field, we are able to find innovative solutions to even the most complex problems.

#5 Maintaining Excellent Communication

Effective communication is critical for any successful project and GISKernel understands this well. Hence, we pose great importance on clear and prompt communication throughout a project.

Our team takes the time to listen to customers’ needs and concerns and provides regular updates on the project’s progress. This approach helps to minimize misunderstandings and ensures that customers are always aware of what is happening with their projects.

Real-Time Implementation of GIS Technology – Case Studies

GISKernel has helped several public and private sector customers, including Fortune 500 companies, to implement the GIS technology. Following are some case studies that prove how we have been adding value since our inception:

Improving Air Quality Awareness with Real-Time GIS Technology for the Government of Dubai  

The Government of Dubai needed a real-time solution to display Air Quality Index (AQI) on a web map. GISKernel and its team helped them by creating a thematic map of the community boundaries and integrated AQI values, which were obtained from a NetCDF being updated every single hour. The resulting web application provided the Government of Dubai with a powerful tool to monitor AQI in real-time, supporting them to inform decisions and improve the overall air quality for the citizens of Dubai.

Revolutionizing Network Management with a GIS-based Web Application for KSEB, India

In today’s fast-paced world, having real-time information about the electric utility system is crucial for efficient management and decision-making. It was the greatest challenge faced by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) in India. They were using a traditional and expensive solution provided by ESRI, but it was not meeting their needs. This is where GISKernel stepped in and developed a custom GIS web application specifically tailored to their requirements. The solution brought transparency to the system, reduced the workload of paperwork, and provided real-time information about the electric utility network. The results were impressive and KSEB could replace the traditional solution with this new and innovative GIS-based one, saving both time and money.

Therefore, these case studies highlight the power of GIS technology in solving real-world problems and the value GISKernel can bring to its customers.

Value Addition at a Glance

2018-19: Started our journey with 8 clients

2019-20: Our family of customers grew to 18.

2020-21: Retained all our customers successfully.

2021-22: Increased the satisfied customer count to 27.

2022-23: Successfully served 70+ customers in this 5 years.

Customer satisfaction is our priority, and it is reflected in the numerous positive reviews and testimonials the company has received from satisfied customers who have worked with us. They praise the company’s ability to showcase the level of professionalism, expertise, and excellent communication throughout. Therefore, the positive feedback from customers serves as a testament to the value that GISKernel provides to its clients and highlights the company’s commitment to excellence.

Conclusion

GISKernel has proven to be a valuable asset to its customers. Its broad knowledge of GIS applications and development experience, combined with its commitment to providing top-notch customer service, make it an excellent choice for anyone in need of GIS solutions. Whether you are a technical expert or a non-technical customer, GISKernel is dedicated to finding the best solution for your unique needs and ensuring your complete satisfaction.

Choose GISKernel if you need quality GIS solutions, and we are confident that you will be impressed with our services!

Celebrating 5 Years of Innovation: The Journey of GISKernel

Posted on by admin News # # # # # # # # # # Leave a Comment on Celebrating 5 Years of Innovation: The Journey of GISKernel

Revisiting the History

The journey of GISKernel started about five years ago in February 2018. A young and passionate founder, Akshay Loya, who had the vision to revolutionize the world of GIS through its advanced and innovativ use to solve complex business problems.

Akshay started his career as a Biotechnology student who was introduced to the world of GIS by his mentor. His mentor mentioned “GIS is basically like a map on steroids! Trust me, you’re going to love it.” which inspired Akshay to explore more. He was fascinated and was determined to make a career in it.

He went on to crack an interview for the Symbiosis Institute of Geo-Informatics and the journey has only been onwards and upwards from there.

Akshay’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to pursue his passion for GIS through freelancing. His first project at the University of Washington proved to be a success, allowing him to hire his first employee and lay the foundation of GISKernel. The company, GISKernel, reflects the core essence of GIS, which serves as the foundation for all the work they do.

Milestones and Accomplishments

Since its inception, GISKernel has achieved several milestones and accomplishments in its five years journey.

Milestone #1: Recognition as a Startup by the Government of India

GISKernel received recognition as a Startup by the Government of India for the Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade in January 2019 – a testament to its potential. This recognition opened up new opportunities for the company to grow.

Milestone #2: Tax Exemptions under the “Startup India” Scheme

GISKernel received tax exemptions under the “Startup India” scheme in April 2021 for 3 years – an enormous financial support during its early stages.

Milestone #3: Showcasing Work at Dubai Expo

The steadily growing company showcased its work at the Dubai Expo 2020 to potential investors, engaged with different stakeholders and networked with other startups –  a significant achievement and recognition of its innovative work in the field of GIS.

Milestone #4: Exhibit their Work at Science City, Ahmedabad

In September 2022, GISKernel was selected to showcase its work at Science City Ahmedabad to 500 bureaucrats from all over India. It was a good channel to network with the know how’s of the industry

Milestone #5: Restarting the Office after Covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic was a global challenge that affected almost every aspect of life, including businesses. Despite the difficulties posed by the pandemic, GISKernel persevered and successfully restarted its operations in January 2023. This accomplishment is a testimony to the company’s resilience and determination in the face of adversity. It showcases the company’s commitment to its mission and ability to overcome challenges and emerge stronger.

Each of these milestones and accomplishments serves as a reminder of the company’s journey so far and its unwavering commitment to innovation and growth.

Looking Forward

GISKernel has a clear vision for the future with plans and goals that are ambitious and attainable. The company is focused on continuing to provide innovative solutions and services to its clients while exploring new opportunities and markets. With its dedicated team of experts and its commitment to excellence, GISKernel is poised for continued success and growth by making a positive impact in the world of GIS.

How GIS can be used as a response system during natural calamity

Posted on by admin Natural Calamity Public Safety Services 1 Comment on How GIS can be used as a response system during natural calamity

Disasters are said to be spatial in nature and in recent years we can see an increase in intensity and occurrence of disasters. Statistically, between 2000 and 2019, over 4 billion people worldwide were affected by disasters and over 1.2 million people lost their lives. These natural and man-made calamities have the potential to turn into cascading disasters which can lead to massive destruction, loss of life and property. Uttarakhand, a state in the Northern part of India, in the month of February, 2021,  experienced flash floods which caused an unprecedented damage to life and property. It can be said that it will take time to reach a state of normalcy.

Source: Alja-Zeera
 

Though the occurrence of disasters cannot be prevented but it is possible to be prepared to face the disasters before they occur and have plans in place to execute once disasters have occurred in order to minimize the loss of property and lives. The advances in technology and possibility of integrating GIS and remote sensing to all phases of disaster management has made us capable of mitigating such calamities.

WHAT IS GIS?

GIS or Geographic Information Systems is a tool that captures geographic data for the purpose of manipulation, viewing and analysis. In technical terms, it is a computer system that captures, stores, checks, and displays data related to locations on the Earth’s surface.

Used to analyze spatial data or geographic information for any given and possible purpose, in today’s time – GIS is the go-to technology for location-based decisions. One of the sectors that majorly depends on GIS for reducing risks is disaster management. Playing a fundamental role in understanding the current and future issues involving geographic space, GIS positively builds as a response system for disaster management. From assisting in locating the potential hazard exposure to preparing for quick strategies – GIS has the potential to be used as a response system during disasters.

GIS AS RESPONSE SYSTEM FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT

The Disaster Management sector is responsible for creating awareness of any possible natural calamities to happen in the near-future. With the help of the GIS tools, these teams make a proper plan of mitigation, response, rescue and evacuation. Their primary responsibilities involve –

  •  Identifying and mapping the disaster prone areas
  • Planning safety measures beforehand
  • Planning rescue and evacuation
  • Rehabilitation and post disaster management
Source: RMSI

WAYS GIS HELPS IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT

GIS as a tool has the power to collect data from various sources to be used for a common purpose on a common platform. These readily accessible data of critical information help to plan efficient disaster management in cases of emergencies. Some ways GIS has been helping in mitigating natural calamities are –

  • GIS helps in creating the map of disaster affected areas
  • Can allow the mapping of evacuation routes by use of imagery captured.
  • If a weather forecast is available then the government officials can take appropriate decisions based on the available maps and locations.
  • Create disaster maps to show the risk zones as well as disaster impact zones.
  • Helps in mapping evacuation routes
  • Shelter planning
  • Identifies debris removal strategies
  • Used for storing digitized maps, their visualization and analysis.
  • Helps in re-establishing communication
  • Gives an estimate of economic impacts and social impacts
  • Useful in connecting dislocated families and sending helps to them
  • Identifying the medicals and hospitals for treatment nearby
  • Helps to find shelter and camps that one can easily reach in the nearby places
  • Identifying safe disaster prone places where shelters and camps can be organized with the help of maps.
  • Help secure relief funding

HOW GISKERNEL CAN HELP IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT?

GISKernel provides specialized services and consulting to harness the power of GIS to build an effective response system for disaster management business. We can help you with mapping of the geographic terrain, collecting data about past and current disasters, secure relief funds and much more.

GISKernel makes use of a variety of different spatial, temporal, and spectral resolutions to provide you with better data and helps you with –

  • Hazard mapping for flood plains and fault lines, fire hazards, earthquakes and more
  • Identifying, following and analysing the potential destruction of disaster
  • Using remote sensing to gauge initial destruction, to infrastructure in the case of an earthquake or terrorist attack
  • Tracking the location and supply levels of support and rescue teams following an emergency event
  • Creating computer-generated maps of infrastructure including pipes, sewers, power lines, neighbourhoods’ and other aspects of an area so the map can be referenced in preparedness, emergency and recovery efforts
Source: geospatial-world
  • Information about emergency headquarters (i.e police, fire, ambulance) for quickest response during the time of emergency
  • Identifying potentially vulnerable residents in case of a disaster, in terms of age, income and other insights
  • Tracking terrorist attacks, sabotage and other threats to national security using geospatial information technology
  • Using sensors on airplanes or satellites (remote sensing) to record events such as storms and to integrate that information into a geographic information system
  • Finding current evacuation routes that have been updated as a result of the disaster at hand

GISKernel works in a number of different industries such as Agriculture, Automobile, Disaster Management, Oil and Gas, Telecom, Public Safety, Municipality etc. We are looking forward to serving you in the best geo-spatial way possible.

Use & Importance of GIS during COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted on by admin Healthcare Leave a Comment on Use & Importance of GIS during COVID-19 Pandemic

The world is united in its fight against the Novel Coronavirus 2019, more commonly known as the COVID-19. This epidemic has spread like never before in the history of humankind. The rapid globalization has played a significant role in this widespread repercussion.

Thankfully, globalization is playing the role of a double-edged sword by providing means to combat this pandemic too. It supports the availability of the latest technological and medical developments in various parts of the globe. The healthcare industry, along with the support of numerous technical innovations, is driving the world to recover.

Image source

To stop the spread of COVID-19, it is essential to understand the dynamics of this pandemic in terms of community spread, high-risk groups, recovery rates, death rates, new case reports, etc. One of the most reliable tools that are being used by experts in all fields is the Geographic Information System (GIS).

GIS is a framework that integrates, manages, and analyses different types of data. It is rooted in geographical sciences and acts as a location intelligence tool and provides valuable data concerning COVID-19. GIS makes use of the available resources to provide the best possible solutions.

The GIS framework has helped nations to create dashboards to monitor the disease spread. However, apart from enhancing global connectivity and awareness, there are many more modes by which GIS is helping humanity conquer the COVID-19 pandemic.

  1. To map the cases of COVID-19- By mapping the confirmed and active cases in different regions, GIS has been crucial in determining the number of cases in different parts of the world.

  1. To monitor the spread of the pandemic- GIS can analyze the rate of new cases, recovery rates, and fatalities across space and time. This gives valuable information to epidemiologists regarding the direction and the scale of the spread.

  1. To detect the hotspots and sealing of the location- Once the cases are mapped, and the rate of spread is calculated, it would be easier to understand the hotspot regions. Further, this information can be used to seal and lockdown such areas. This will control the spread of the pandemic to a large extent.

  1. To understand the spread pattern- The interactions of COVID- 19 infected persons can be studied using GIS. This is done by tracking their card transactions, mobile phone tower locations, and travel details.

    • This valuable information can be added to the GIS and warn the community regarding possible spread.

    • Various analytical techniques have been employed by institutions across the world to create an epidemiologic curve that shows disease spread patterns globally.

  1. To track down potential suspects- The most vital method of preventing the spread of COVID-19 is through social distancing. GIS has made it possible to provide the details of potential suspects of the primary contact. This will help to prevent contact of such people with other members of the community through effective quarantine.

  1. To identify potential risk areas- GIS can incorporate the data for social vulnerability index from various Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

    • This will help the GIS to identify the possible socioeconomic and race of world populations that are at higher risk.

    • The census data provide information regarding the demography of a region. This information can help the GIS to detect the location of high-risk groups like senior communities and retirement destinations.

  1. Help people to avoid visiting hotspots- Communication is the most significant advantage of GIS facilities. Governments across the globe can share information with partners and the public using such dashboards.

    • It aids in the isolation of hotspots from people from other parts.

    • The recognition of such risky areas has resulted in the closure of institutions, early evacuations, and other methods of leveraging social distancing protocols.Image source

  1. Mapping of isolation centers, hospitals and testing facilities- This is one of the most valuable uses of the GIS.

    • There are many hospitals that regularly update the available capacities to policymakers. Once this information is fed to the GIS network, the respective tools will analyze the patterns.

    • Further, information regarding the diminishing capacities in a hospital and bed utilization rates is made available in such portals. Such tools have helped in converting underutilized facilities to full-fledged healthcare spaces and makeshift hospitals.

    • Added, GIS can match vulnerable populations with such facilities and assist in promoting accessibility.

  1. To forecast and visualize disease rates- Epidemiologists are working on different GIS modeling techniques to predict the disease dynamics in the coming days. It will help to analyze the possible rates and direction of disease spread. Such forecasting models will help the authorities to decide where to implement control, preventive, and surveillance measures. The allocation of resources in such testing times can play a vital role in the management of the pandemic.

  1. To assess supply chain facilities- During such curfew-like times, proper functioning of supply chain facilities is highly relevant. GIS can determine the efficient routes from different warehouses to hospitals and other healthcare facilities. This ensures the quickest ways to provide essential commodities. Such supply chain-related GIS tools can be used for other essential items like vegetables, fruits, dairy products, etc.

  1. To track patients- GIS, along with the Global Positioning System (GPS), can track the mobile phone’s network of the patient. This will ensure proper quarantining of the patient and limit the spread of the disease. Government agencies use such geofencing techniques to keep watch on the patients and check for violations.

  1. To assess the impact of interventions- Evaluating the extent of success of each intervention is necessary for the proper utilization of limited resources. GIS maps can be used by officials to understand the impact of a particular intervention on the control and prevention of disease spread, recovery rates, etc. There are disease distribution maps that are real-time updated and show the changes in different areas.

Policymakers in all parts of the world have come to acknowledge the efficiency of GIS tools to communicate, assess, and understand the scale of COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, many governments have even taken assistance of this technology. Most importantly, GIS maps can help to suppress misinformation, which is the biggest cause of worry during these difficult times.

How GIS can help in Elections?

Posted on by admin Governance 3 Comments on How GIS can help in Elections?

India is the largest democracy in the world and elections is the fundamental pillar of any true democratic country. With the central elections happening in India, we decided to see how GIS can help make the process simpler, efficient and more productive.

With the active awareness that has gripped the nation for 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, Geographic Information System (GIS) can be extremely supportive in spreading the required awareness as well as for targeted marketing.
Let’s explore to understand how GIS can transform the election process.

What is GIS?

GIS stands for Geographic Information System. Simply put, GIS captures geographical data, analyzes it, and presents visual information on a digital map to solve complex problems or take better decisions.

To give you an example, GIS helps organizations in almost all fields such as-

  • Helping retailers in identifying and setting up their stores in the most profitable location.
  • Allowing conservation organizations to predict the consequences of global warming.
  • Assisting police force in apprehending criminals by tracking their criminal activity.

Other areas that GIS finds its applications in include education, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, public safety, telecommunication, transportation, agriculture among others.
(We can also link this section to other article on the website for SEO)

A. How GIS can help citizens to choose the right candidate?

GIS has made it easier to know and compare the information of the most deserving candidate for your locality. This will help you make an informed decision in just a few clicks. Now the voters can get every crucial data on the performance of their current MP and assess if he/she should continue or be replaced.

Here’re the simple steps on how GIS helps the voters during elections –

    1. View your current MP performance and compare with other candidates –
  • Head over to theprint.in/my543-lok-sabha-elections2019. Choose your “state” and “constituency” to get to know all about your current MP and the work done during their term.
  • The graphical data – powered by GIS – lets you visually compare the performance of your current MP with the previous MP. This helps in picking out the one who has done the most work and is the best suitable candidate for your area.
      Few criterions which lets you compare the performance of your MP include-

    • The activity of your MP on various subjects such as finance, agriculture, education, and health.
    • The amount of fund that has been utilized in developing the local area such as road development and coverage which is illustrated using map.
    • The progress of constituency concerning literacy rate, electrified homes, homes with toilets, sex ratio, underweight children, and low BMI women
  • Moreover, GIS displays the list of contesting candidates on a map with their basic information such as age, party, criminal cases, educational qualification, total assets and liabilities. This information on your candidates can clear up the rest of the picture and assist you in taking the right decision on who deserves your vote.
    • 2. When you go to cast your vote –
  • It can help you find your constituency – Go to electoralsearch.in, put in your EPIC number, search for your details, and find your constituency. Next, click on “view details” to know about your polling date and polling station.
  • Therefore, GIS helps you in locating your booth. Moreover, it also shows you the shortest route to reach as well as parking space available there. Everything is visually seen on an easy to follow map.
  • Furthermore, GIS also tells you if there are traffic jams on the way or suggests you alternate routes if there are barricades present in your route to save your precious time.
  • To help you with emergencies, GIS can also guide you to the nearest police station or hospital as well.

B. How GIS can help political parties

    1. Helps in campaign management
  • A GIS helps in organizing and running a successful campaign. The analytics and demography of a particular area can tell a lot about which marketing tactics would work and which won’t.
    For example- if an area is dominated by youngsters, targeting them with ideas that appeal to youth would work out exceedingly well.
  • Similarly, for fundraising activities, GIS can help you identify the location where people are more likely to donate, considering their socio-economic conditions.
  • GIS gives you the opportunity to know your voters more deeply, address their problems, and reach out to them in an appealing way. It helps to identify the core issues of an area so the parties can layout strategies accordingly in order to win the election.
  • What’s more, GIS can also help keep an eye on social media, which is where the majority of people form their opinion about various political parties.
    For instance – these parties can keep a track of the trending tags and hashtags on social media to know which direction the political wind is blowing and what people think about them. On the basis of this insight, they can strategize their next move and turn the political situation in their favour.

    • 2. GIS helps avert untoward incidences.

    Moreover, GIS helps in identifying the locations where criminal activity rates are high or will be high, making it easier to beef up the ballot security in time. This reduces cost & errors and adds to the transparency and credibility of the elections.

C. How GIS can help government officials?

Adopting GIS is a significant move in making elections smarter and effectual. It can holistically transform the way election processes work and achieve their goal.

  1. GIS improves voter experience, encourages higher voter turnout

    Elections are a festival of democracy, and festivals can often bring along chaos which could ruin the experience for voters.

    That’s where GIS can help address problems, resolve them, and make the entire process well-organized and uncomplicated. Here’s how-

    1. Helps locate voting centers-

      Citizens on the polling day can find their polling booth location using just a simple app, powered by GIS. In addition to the location, voters even get info on poll hours and detailed directions to reach over there with the help of a map, eliminating the need to roam cluelessly for hours.
      What this means is, by making voting centers easily accessible, GIS increases voter participation and turnout too.

    2. Delivers engaging election day results-

      Admit it, nobody likes boring excel sheets or numbers written on a white background.
      GIS technology heard this out and made result viewing absolutely pleasing. It presents data using an interactive map to inform you of various events such as number and age-group of voters, polling percentage, past results, etc.

  2. GIS makes elections operations smoother and real-time
    1. Keeps an eye on election proceedings, improves efficiency and effectiveness

      Election day can bring a lot of surprises, which need a swift response to keep the process flowing smoothly. This could be executed effortlessly only when you have access to live data and the current situation of the polling place.

      GIS lets you take better decisions with its real-time monitoring and helps in allocating the resources where they are needed the most.

    2. Open data portal lets you notify people with authoritative election information

      GIS also provides a one-point interface to transmit data or information related to the election to citizens, journalists, and even the officials and staff of the organization.

      This rules out the possibility of people falling prey to rumors or fake news that are quite rampant during election seasons.

  3. GIS simplifies the redistricting process

    Redistricting is the process of drawing electoral district boundaries every 10 years. The redistricting process is simply redrawing electoral district boundaries. However, the non-transparency in the process also used to give rise to gerrymandering, which is shaping districts to benefit one political party or another.

    GIS has a solution for it as it brings transparency to the entire redistricting process. Here’s how-

    1. Helps create error-free redistricting plans

      GIS makes the redistricting process simpler by creating redistricting plans that are compliant to legislative requirements. Not just that, it also ensures that these plans pass judicial audits or legal review and are flawless.

      Thus, it brings clarity and transparency to the entire process by making everything visible for all stakeholders, including the citizens.

    2. Includes citizen participation and collaboration

      Working towards a transparent and credible election framework, web-based GIS enables government, advocates, and citizens to complete redistricting plans that comply with legislative requirements. This is done by utilizing online redistricting and geocoding tools.

      Once done, these plans could be shared too. The entire process of engaging citizens brings faith into the system and eliminates doubts.

    3. Let’s you compare redistricting plans and create custom reports

      GIS enables comparing various potential redistricting plans and summarize their data. It is also easier to create a custom report by applying the desired variable that is valuable to the organization.

      Finally, the best redistricting plan is checked for errors and finalized.

    4. Allows checking for common missteps

      GIS also helps in data integrity checking, which is checking data for its accuracy and consistency. Moreover, it allows checking for –

      1. Contiguity- traveling between two points within a district without crossing into another district.
      2. Compactness
      3. Preserving communities of interest

How GIS can help the agriculture industry

Posted on by admin Agriculture 6 Comments on How GIS can help the agriculture industry

The agriculture industry is the backbone of any country. Without a well-developed and thriving farming industry, it will be difficult for a country to grow and prosper. However, in recent years, agriculture production is fighting against all odds to survive. Plagued by floods, droughts, poor farming techniques, and knowledge and being affected by swarms of insects, the agricultural community seems to be losing its edge.

While the government in every country is trying to make improvements to ensure better crop yield, these factors along with many others are continuing to take a toll on the agriculture industry. The growing debt and no quick solutions have resulted in farmers and their families committing suicides every day.

In such trying times, a Geographic Information System (GIS) can be incredibly helpful in getting the agriculture industry back on track. Let’s explore to understand how GIS can help the agricultural industry.

What is GIS?

GIS stands for a Geographic Information System. It is a framework that can be used for capturing, managing, storing, manipulating, and even analyzing all types of data, especially geographical data. The system has its foundation on the science of geography, indicating that a certain portion of the collected data is spatial. To put it simply, data which has been captured has in some way been referenced to certain locations on the earth.

Apart from the collected data, GIS systems also provide tabular data which is known as the attribute data. This attribute data is usually defined as being the additional information that is attached to each of the spatial features.

The ideal combination of these two data sets is what allows GIS to be a highly effective and efficient problem-solving tool that works through spatial analysis.

Farmers and agricultural communities around the world have turned towards GIS software to help them get their industry back on track.

Let’s take a look at how GIS is transforming the agriculture industry worldwide.

Application of GIS in the Agriculture Sector:

The use of GIS in the field of agriculture is not a new phenomenon. With the agriculture sector being the backbone of all economies, it is no wonder then that any kind of beneficial changes introduced in this sector will have a larger corresponding impact on other sectors of the economy as well.

A GIS infrastructure is proving to be a boon for the agriculture industry as it is allowing the community to map and project not just current data, but also future data related to fluctuations in temperature, crop output, precipitation levels, and more.

When farmers are capable of mapping the geographic and geologic features of a potential or current farmland, it allows farmers to work together with scientists to create more efficient and effective farming techniques. This is going to have a definite increase in overall food production, especially in those parts of the world that are dealing with malnutrition and where people are struggling to produce enough food for themselves and others.

GIS has shown that technology, when used smartly and competently, has a crucial role to play in building sustainable agricultural practices. GIS has also successfully added great value to the agriculture sector by streamlining the processes.

How GIS is helping the agriculture industry:

  • Soil Analysis:GIS data can be used to carry out soil analysis. It also allows you to get a spread of historical farming practices in that area to understand what would be the best crops to plant, where to plant them, and what measures need to be taken to maintain the proper soil nutrient levels that serve best for the plants.
  • Agricultural Mapping:The advent of this highly efficient geospatial technology has made it possible to better understand as well as manage the natural inputs in farming. GIS technology substantially helps determine what the effective crop yield would be, carry out soil amendment analysis, and also identify soil erosion possibility and remediation techniques beforehand itself. Such type of accurate and reliable crop estimates has helped decrease uncertainty that accompanies the sector.
  • Precision farming:Precision agriculture is a farming concept that makes available geographical information to better understand and determine field variability to ensure the best possible use of a farmer’s inputs and thus maximize the output from a farm. With the use of GIS, it is now possible for farmers to more accurately determine what inputs their fields require, where exactly it is required and in what quantities.Source: GPS4Us.

    This information facilitates farmers to efficiently use certain expensive resources such as pesticides, herbicides, and of course, fertilizers. It also ensures more effectual use of water. Farmers who use GIS technology in precision farming can easily increase their farm’s yields along with lowering their operating costs. Hence, it increases their overall profits.

  • GIS technology has also allowed farmers to carry out crop forecasting and thus manage their agriculture output with the use of multispectral imagery that is collected by various satellites. GIS also makes it possible to analyze and visualize the agricultural environment and farmers can then plan out their workflows to give the maximum benefits.
  • GIS also helps the farming community to reduce costs and increase production at the same time by allowing for better management of their land resources. This reduces the risk of marginalization and also reduces the vulnerability of the marginal and small farmers.

How GISKernel can help the Agriculture Sector?

GISKernel provides specialized services and consulting to harness the power of GIS to build a sustainable, yet profitable, agriculture business for you. We can help you with mapping of the geographic terrain, collecting data about current and future levels of temperature, crop yield, precipitation levels, and much more, helping you grow your crop production significantly.

GISKernel makes use of a variety of different spatial, temporal, and spectral resolutions to provide you with better data on:

  • Crop assessment and crop health
  • Crop mapping and yield estimation
  • Soil and irrigation amendment analysis
  • Irrigated landscape mapping
  • Agricultural mapping for getting an in-depth vegetation cover and monitoring
  • Suitability assessment studies for understanding best crop fits
  • Erosion identification and remediation
  • Elevation models for efficient water drainage

Our GIS platform can help you plan end-to-end smart solutions for a new farm plot or an existing farm terrain, along with suggesting sustainable practices that can be adopted.

GISKernel works in a number of different industries such as Agriculture, Automobile, Oil and Gas, Telecom, Public Safety, Municipality etc. We are looking forward to serving you in the best geo-spatial way possible.