Research Advances in Monitoring Agro-meteorological Disasters Using Remote Sensing

Remote sensing is an important method for rapidly obtaining farmland information. Once meteorological disaster occurs,using the remote sensing technology to extract disaster area of crops and monitor disaster level has great significance for evaluating disasters and making a timely remedy. This paper elaborated the importance of monitoring agro-meteorological disasters using remote sensing in current special historical period,overviewed remote sensing methods both at home and abroad,analyzed existing problems,made clear major problems to be solved in monitoring agro-meteorological disasters using remote sensing,and discussed the development prospect of the remote sensing technology.

A dataset of agro-meteorological disasteraffected area and grain loss in China(1949–2015)

As a big agricultural country,the People’s Republic of China has experienced a series of natural disasters since its founding,such as the 1959–1961 Great Famine,the 1998 floods and the 2008 snowstorm.Here we present a dataset summarizing four categories of meteorological disasteraffected area at provincial level in China from 1949 to 2015:mildly-affected area,moderately-affected area,heavily-affected area,and total affected area.Based on crop-planting data and natural disaster data,grain losses are also evaluated by using a grain loss assessment model.The dataset plays an important role in the future prediction,prevention,and reduction of agrometeorological disasters.

Spatial pattern and decadal change of agro-meteorological disasters in the main wheat production area of China during 1991-2009

Agro-meteorological disasters （AMD） have become more frequent with climate warming. In this study, the temporal and spatial changes in the occurrence frequency of major meteorological disasters on wheat production were firstly explored by analyzing the observed records at national agro-meteorological stations （AMS） of China from 1991 to 2009. Fur- thermore, impact of climate change on AMD was discussed by comparing the warmer decade （2000-2009） with another decade （1991-2000）. It was found that drought was the most fre- quent disaster during the last two decades, with a highest proportion of 79%. And the fre- quency of AMD increased significantly with climate change. Specifically, the main disasters occurred more frequently in the reproductive period than in the vegetative period. Besides, the spatial changes in the AMD frequency were characterized by region-specific. For example the wheat cultivation areas located on the Loess Plateau and the middle-lower reaches of the Yellow River suffered mainly from drought. All these results were strongly linked to climate change in China. Therefore, sound adaptation options should be taken based on the latest changes of AMD under global warming to reduce agricultural damages.

Overview on Mangrove Forest Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Functions

This paper provides a comprehensive overview on coastal protection and hazard mitigation by mangroves.Previous stud-ies have made great strides to understand the mechanisms and influencing factors of mangroves’protection function,including wave energy dissipation,storm surge damping,tsunami mitigation,adjustment to sea level rise and wind speed reduction,which are sys-tematically summarized in this study.Moreover,the study analyzes the extensive physical models,based on indoor flume experi-ments and numerical models,that consider the interaction between mangroves and hydrodynamics,to help our understanding of mangrove-hydrodynamic interactions.Additionally,quantitative approaches for valuing coastal protection services provided by man-groves,including index-based and process-resolving approaches,are introduced in detail.Finally,we point out the limitations of previous studies,indicating that efforts are still required for obtaining more long-term field observations during extreme weather events,to create more real mangrove models for physical experiments,and to develop numerical models that consider the flexible properties of mangroves to better predict wave propagation in mangroves having complex morphology and structures.

Challenges in Implementing DVI Best Practice Guidelines Due to the Brumadinho Disaster

The broke of a tailings dam from Vale S.A. destroyed a gigantic area killing 270 persons in Brumadinho/Brazil. Organizing activities after a mass disaster is a complex process that requires the involvement of many people and resources in the laboratory. To DNA identification of the victims, a daunting work had to be made by DNA laboratory staff in a collaborative effort with many partners. Efforts to implement good practice guidelines in Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) have revealed several important aspects that need to change in the forensic DNA laboratory. This article highlights the challenges of implementing DVI best practice guidelines in resource-poor settings, but with professionals from different sectors engaged in the same goal of briefly identifying victims and helping families and society.

Climate Change-Related Disaster Risk Events in Togo: A Systematic Review

Togo is facing significant climate challenges that have profound consequences for its environment, economy, and population. This study provides an overview of various climate phenomena affecting Togo and highlights potential adaptation strategies. We used the inclusion and exclusion criteria (PRISMA) to search both French and English articles on climate change-related disaster risk events in Togo through Google Scholar, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and PubMed databases using the keywords “Climate Change”, “Floods”, “Drought”, “Coastal erosion”, “High winds”, “Epidemy”, Heatwaves”, and “Air pollution”. Twenty-five articles from 2000-2023 were included in this study after applying different criteria. Droughts, floods, coastal erosion, food and crop productivity loss, heatwaves, spread of vector-borne diseases, air pollution, and high winds are among the climate phenomena discussed. These challenges are driven by climate change, altering precipitation patterns, increasing temperatures, and rising sea levels. Drought, floods, coastal erosion, loss of food and crop productivity, spread of vector-borne diseases, air pollution and heatwaves are the most climate risks experienced by Togo. Drought contributes to decreased plant cover, water scarcity, and changes in the water and energy balance. Floods cause property damage, health risks, and disruptions to livelihoods. Coastal erosion threatens coastal communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Adaptation strategies include early warning systems, improved water management, sustainable agriculture, urban and health planning, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. Drought-resistant crops, mosquito control, and clean energy adoption are essential.

Study on Temperature Disaster Indicators of Passion Fruit in Southwest Fujian, China

In China, meteorological forecasting relies on meteorological data obtained from regional and national stations. However, there were discrepancies between the data collected from the meteorological station at the passion fruit growing base and the data from regional and national stations. Consequently, the high and low temperature disaster indicators determined by the meteorological station at the passion fruit growing base cannot be applied to meteorological forecasting. To address this issue and facilitate the monitoring and early warning of high and low temperature disasters in passion fruit cultivation in Fujian, China, we used multi-source hourly temperature data (including the data from meteorological observation stations in passion fruit growing bases, the nearest regional stations, and national surface conventional meteorological observation stations) in three cities in southwestern Fujian (Longyan, Sanming, and Zhangzhou) spanning the years 2020 to 2022. By employing comprehensive statistical analysis methods (0.5 interval division and Cumulative frequency), we identified that passion fruit in southwestern Fujian was susceptible to high temperature disasters during the blooming-fruiting period, as well as low temperature disasters during the sprouting period. Consequently, we developed high and low temperature disaster indicators based on data from regional and national stations for different phenological periods of passion fruit in this region.

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Education from Social Disciplinary Theoretical Perspectives

Disaster is a social phenomenon. The occurrence and impacts of disasters including the education sector can be studied through a social problem lens. This paper draws meaning and understanding of DRR education using the sociological disciplinary framework in a detailed qualitative case study of three schools as they responded to the devastating Gorakha earthquake in 2015 and other disasters in Nepal. This paper considers the three sub-disciplines of sociology: the sociology of disaster, the sociology of education and the sociology of education governance in a development context. These sub-disciplines are nested together to analyse social, political and historical factors and their relationships which are helpful to identify risks and vulnerabilities in the education sector in Nepal. These are the major areas to explore the disaster context and needs of context-specific education acts (hereafter DRR education) to minimise the potential risks of disasters. The article concludes that the social disciplinary framework is significantly useful to analyse DRR education provisions and implications of education governance to mobilise school in disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

Strategy for Protection of Cultural Heritage Exposed to the Natural and Man-Made Activity Disasters in Serbia

Natural disasters and the adverse human activities are the key events in the history of mankind that form our history and shape our collective memory to this day.People on the planet Earth are not obsessed only with natural hazards,caused by earthquakes,floods and volcanic eruptions,and troubles unlikely come solely from the action of nature.Disasters threatening the human race can be caused also by people themselves.Both types of disasters cause vast human suffering,at the same time destroying cultural heritage as well,that has the function of determining the identity of social communities.These sufferings should be added to those that can be determined only by in-depth analyses which are derived from the synergy of natural forces and mistaken choices made by the humans,when it comes to their habitat.The proposed strategic plan for protection of built heritage in emergency situations may become the powerful catalyst for the process of revitalization by which the social tissue of community is maintained and restored,creating the symbol of resistance by which it endures each and every natural element and evil men behaviour.

Analyzing Disaster Mitigation Policies in Japan and China from an Eco-DRR Perspective:A Comparative Study of Shanghai and Tokyo

Global climate change-induced natural disasters require international efforts and the adoption of Eco-Disaster Risk Reduction(Eco-DRR)policies for sustainable development.This study examines the status of Eco-DRR in disaster prevention policies through word cloud analysis,providing insights for policymakers to enhance disaster prevention amid increasing climate-related challenges.Tokyo and Japan prioritize soft aspects,while Shanghai and China emphasize engineering for flood prevention,revealing a gap in Eco-DRR application.Despite these differing approaches,the shared focus on water-related disasters indicates a shift towards urban resilience.Future research should assess policy effectiveness and the impact of Eco-DRR on disaster risk reduction and ecosystem protection.

Beyond Defense: Proactive Approaches to Disaster Recovery and Threat Intelligence in Modern Enterprises

As cyber threats keep changing and business environments adapt, a comprehensive approach to disaster recovery involves more than just defensive measures. This research delves deep into the strategies required to respond to threats and anticipate and mitigate them proactively. Beginning with understanding the critical need for a layered defense and the intricacies of the attacker’s journey, the research offers insights into specialized defense techniques, emphasizing the importance of timely and strategic responses during incidents. Risk management is brought to the forefront, underscoring businesses’ need to adopt mature risk assessment practices and understand the potential risk impact areas. Additionally, the value of threat intelligence is explored, shedding light on the importance of active engagement within sharing communities and the vigilant observation of adversary motivations. “Beyond Defense: Proactive Approaches to Disaster Recovery and Threat Intelligence in Modern Enterprises” is a comprehensive guide for organizations aiming to fortify their cybersecurity posture, marrying best practices in proactive and reactive measures in the ever-challenging digital realm.

Microseismic monitoring and forecasting of dynamic disasters in underground hydropower projects in southwest China:A review

The underground hydropower projects in Southwest China is characterized by large excavation sizes,high geostresses,complicated geological conditions and multiple construction processes.Various disasters such as collapses,large deformations,rockbursts are frequently encountered,resulting in serious casualties and huge economic losses.This review mainly presents some representative results on microseismic(MS)monitoring and forecasting for disasters in hydropower underground engineering.First,a set of new denoising,spectral analysis,and location methods were developed for better identification and location of MS signals.Then,the tempo-spatial characteristics of MS events were analyzed to understand the relationship between field construction and damages of surrounding rocks.Combined with field construction,geological data,numerical simulation and parametric analysis of MS sources,the focal mechanism of MS events was revealed.A damage constitutive model considering MS fracturing size was put forward and feedback analysis considering the MS damage of underground surrounding rocks was conducted.Next,an MS multi-parameter based risk assessment and early warning method for dynamic disasters were proposed.The technology for control of the damage and deformation of underground surrounding rocks was proposed for underground caverns.Finally,two typical underground powerhouses were selected as case studies.These achievements can provide significant references for prevention and control of dynamic disasters for underground engineering with similar complicated geological conditions.

Characteristics and dynamic analysis of the February 2021 long-runout disaster chain triggered by massive rock and ice avalanche at Chamoli, Indian Himalaya

A massive rock and ice avalanche occurred on the western slope of the Ronti Gad valley in the northern part of Chamoli,Indian Himalaya,on 7 February 7,2021.The avalanche on the high mountain slope at an elevation of 5600 m above sea level triggered a long runout disaster chain,including rock mass avalanche,debris avalanche,and flood.The disaster chain had a horizontal travel distance of larger than 17,600 m and an elevation difference of 4300 m.In this study,the disaster characteristics and dynamic process were analyzed by multitemporal satellite imagery.The results show that the massive rock and ice avalanche was caused by four large expanding discontinuity planes.The disaster chain was divided into five zones by satellite images and field observation,including source zone,transition zone,dynamic entrainment zone,flow deposition zone,and flood zone.The entrainment effect and melting water were recognized as the main causes of the long-runout distance.Based on the seismic wave records and field videos,the time progress of the disaster was analyzed and the velocity of frontal debris at different stages was calculated.The total analyzed disaster duration was 1247 s,and the frontal debris velocity colliding with the second hydropower station was approximately 23 m/s.This study also carried out the numerical simulation of the disaster by rapid mass movement simulation(RAMMS).The numerical results reproduced the dynamic process of the debris avalanche,and the mechanism of long-runout avalanche was further verified by parametric study.Furthermore,this study discussed the potential causes of disaster and flood and the roles of satellite images and seismic networks in the monitoring and early-warning.

The Salient Issues of Coastal Hazards and Disasters in Nigeria

The Nigerian coastline which stretches about 853 km has four distinct morphological zones namely, Barrier Lagoon, Mahin Mud coast, Niger Delta and Strand coast. Nigeria’s coastal zone is richly blessed with various natural resources like oil, gas, fish, sand etc., which are presently being exploited for economic development. Coastal populations have increased erratically from about 20% of the National population in 1993 to approximately 51,037,122 m (30% of the national population) in 2011. Development of coastal areas in Nigeria is accelerating and user conflicts are increasing. Both natural and anthropogenic activities in the coastal zone are leading to coastal hazards and eventual rapid degradation of the area. Significant coastal hazards include coastal erosion, storm surges, floods, land subsidence, pollution, especially oil spills and possibly seismicity, which could lead to earthquakes and tsunamis. These hazards are leading to disasters and effecting the socio-economic sustainability of the coastal area.

The Use of Artificial Intelligence for Disasters

In recent years, due to an increasing number of extreme meteorological events, the urgent need to use artificial intelligence in their management has emerged. The ability to handle and prevent such events requires disaster management. Artificial intelligence is extensively used in forecasting and preparing for disasters, as well as for mitigating and minimizing damage and in the response phase to effectively help in better and more rapid responses to disasters. This paper examines to identify the uses of artificial intelligence technologies in reducing the impact of various disasters and seeks to investigate the possibility of linking artificial intelligence technologies based on information and communication technology and reducing the effects of disasters. We conclude the paper with the challenges facing artificial intelligence technologies.

Reflection on China's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Construction after Rainstorm and Snowstorm

On July 10,2004,Beijing was hit by the rainstorm that has not been seen for many years,which caused water accumulation in many places of the urban area,power supply interruption in many places,and traffic paralysis for nearly 5 h. On July 12,2004,the rainstorm in Shanghai lasted less than 1 h,but it caused 7 deaths,more than 20 injuries,extensive power outages and traffic paralysis. At the end of 2005,the continuous snowfall in Weihai City of Shandong Province for half a month caused direct economic losses of over 200 million yuan,and the continuous heavy snowfall had a serious impact on people’s lives. From July 17 to 23,2021,Henan Province suffered a rare extremely heavy rainstorm in history,with a direct economic loss of 120.6 billion yuan. Faced with such urban meteorological disasters and other types of urban disasters,combined with the current situation of disaster prevention and reduction in China,what will managers,decision-makers,and experts and scholars think about from them.

Intelligent Protection and Monitoring System of Lightning Disaster

Based on Internet technology,modern wireless communication technology and new sensor technology,an intelligent protection and monitoring system of lightning disaster was established to collect lightning current(lightning intensity,frequency and time),induced lightning current and leakage current of surge protector(SPD),earthing resistance,working voltage,temperature and humidity in the lightning environment and other data in real time.Through the online analysis of visual data and automatic alarm beyond the preset value of cloud platform,it can realize the intelligent online monitoring and management of lightning protection devices,providing scientific and reliable lightning protection technical support for lightning protection and disaster reduction,and ensuring the smooth development and efficient management of lightning protection safety work.

Nourishment and disaster mitigation efficiency of feeding sand on the dry section of a dissipative beach

To explore the nourishment effect and disaster reduction efficiency of a fully dissipative dry beach under the impact of storms,this paper uses the measured topography and hydrodynamic data to establish a one-dimensional numerical model of the XBeach beach profile.By numerically modeling the change in the nourished profile for different dry beach widths under normal waves and storm conditions and the recovery process of the profile after the storm,the degree of response in dry beach nourishment for the fully dissipative beach is analyzed.The results show that under normal wave conditions,the response of the nourished dry beach is obvious.Sediment on the dry beach erodes heavily,and the shoreline moves landward over a long distance.With the increase in the width and size of the dry beach,the wave height at the bottom of the backshore profile decreases,the wave height attenuation rate increases continuously,and the wave elimination effect is remarkable.When the storm incident wave intensifies,the wave height attenuation rate of the nourished dry beach decreases,indicating that the smaller the storm intensity is,the more significant the wave reduction effect of the nourished dry beach is.At the same time,different profile arrangements of nourished dry beaches suffer from different degrees of erosion under storm conditions,with significant changes in profile morphology.With intensified storm action,the intensity of sediment erosion in the nourished dry beach increases,the nourishment is weakened,and the recovery effect of the profile after the storm is not obvious.The results of the numerical modeling highlight that the dry beach nourishment method can resist storms to a certain extent,but the overall effect is relatively limited.

Lens-Oppositional Wild Geese Optimization Based Clustering Scheme for Wireless Sensor Networks Assists Real Time Disaster Management

Recently,wireless sensor networks(WSNs)find their applicability in several real-time applications such as disaster management,military,surveillance,healthcare,etc.The utilization of WSNs in the disaster monitoring process has gained significant attention among research communities and governments.Real-time monitoring of disaster areas using WSN is a challenging process due to the energy-limited sensor nodes.Therefore,the clustering process can be utilized to improve the energy utilization of the nodes and thereby improve the overall functioning of the network.In this aspect,this study proposes a novel Lens-Oppositional Wild Goose Optimization based Energy Aware Clustering(LOWGO-EAC)scheme for WSN-assisted real-time disaster management.The major intention of the LOWGO-EAC scheme is to perform effective data collection and transmission processes in disaster regions.To achieve this,the LOWGOEAC technique derives a novel LOWGO algorithm by the integration of the lens oppositional-based learning(LOBL)concept with the traditional WGO algorithm to improve the convergence rate.In addition,the LOWGO-EAC technique derives a fitness function involving three input parameters like residual energy(RE),distance to the base station(BS)(DBS),and node degree(ND).The proposed LOWGO-EAC technique can accomplish improved energy efficiency and lifetime of WSNs in real-time disaster management scenarios.The experimental validation of the LOWGO-EAC model is carried out and the comparative study reported the enhanced performance of the LOWGO-EAC model over the recent approaches.

Interpretation,Narrative and Study of“Disaster”Scenarios in Western Literature

Disaster runs through the whole process of human development.As a common topic faced by mankind anywhere and anytime,disaster has become the object of consideration and writing by writers in every country.This paper first identifies the etymological meaning of“disaster”in Western language and culture,and then examines the main representations of Western“disaster”literature in terms of literary genre,developing trajectory and thematic characteristics.Finally,the paper summarizes the researches of Western“disaster”literature,and provide references for worldwide study of“disaster”literature.