A village in Kerala is setting a remarkable example by becoming India’s first “Living Lab” dedicated to disaster preparedness, with a strong emphasis on landslide management and response. This innovative initiative, introduced in Kannur district, is designed to provide residents with the essential knowledge and practical skills required to face natural hazards with confidence. By engaging the community directly, the project fosters a culture of awareness and resilience, ensuring that the people are better equipped to handle emergencies and safeguard their lives as well as their surroundings.
The “Living Lab” approach, which has already been proven successful in various international contexts, has been carefully adapted to meet the specific needs of this village. Its main objective is to educate the population about disaster risks and train them in effective methods of protection and response. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) selected the village as the pilot site for this initiative after it witnessed several landslides in 2022, highlighting the urgent requirement for a systematic disaster readiness program.
To strengthen the preparedness measures, the village now benefits from an automatic weather station that delivers real-time, localized meteorological data to the community. Panchayat president Antony Sebastian explained how the system functions by giving timely instructions that are being extended to the other twelve wards in the area. He further mentioned the formation of a 60-member disaster response team that underwent extensive training and was equipped with the necessary tools. Their preparedness was put into practice during the monsoon season, where their services proved to be highly effective in ensuring community safety.
In addition to these local mechanisms, advanced support is being provided by the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (IIT-Roorkee), which is collaborating with the panchayat to develop and install an early warning system. Following a detailed study of the terrain, the engineers and professors from the institution designed a system capable of transmitting warning signals that can be heard across a 10-kilometer radius, significantly improving the response time during potential disasters.
Beyond infrastructure and emergency systems, the project also invests in the younger generation by offering students specialized training in disaster management. These educational efforts cover practical skills such as first aid and emergency response techniques. By involving students, the initiative not only prepares them to act efficiently in real-life crises but also instills long-term awareness and responsibility, contributing to the overall goal of building a resilient and self-reliant community.
