A smart mapping portal on the volcanic activity in Bali provides valuable data information for emergency responders and the public.
Fearing what could be the worst volcano eruption Bali has seen in decades, local officials issued a level 4 volcano alert last month after Mount Agung triggered hundreds of tremors, prompting hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes and escape the threat of an eruption.In a bid to support emergency response efforts, Esri Indonesia’s Emergency Spatial Support Centre developed a smart mapping portal which aims to provide users with greater awareness on the volcanic activity in Bali and its potential impact on affected communities.
The portal features a library of mapping applications designed to keep the public informed and to help first responders, Non-Government Organisations and relevant local authorities effectively respond to the disaster.
Mapping applications available in the portal include 2D and 3D maps which provide a comprehensive view of disaster-prone areas, refugee points, the number of displaced families, locations of evacuation camps, temporary shelters and public amenities.
“By using a platform called ArcGIS, authoritative data from organisations such as the Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB) are integrated and visualised on a map - enabling users to make well-informed decisions that can potentially help in protecting themselves and their families,” Dr. A. Istamar, CEO of Esri Indonesia, said.
“The maps in the portal are also updated in real-time to help first responders immediately visualise critical infrastructure and vulnerable community members they need to protect. They can also identify and prioritise potential threats to communities and develop comprehensive plans for evacuations,” said Dr. A. Istamar.
Esri Indonesia also created a crowd-sourcing app to empower the public to contribute valuable information that may help local authorities better coordinate emergency response efforts. Details submitted by the public can then be seen through an interactive field reporting dashboard.
In addition, to take advantage of the country’s high mobile penetration rate, the portal is available for download as a mobile app – available in English and Bahasa Indonesia - to help reach and engage a wider audience – not just within Bali, but also worldwide. This is especially useful for tourists who are planning a trip to Bali.
The Esri Indonesia Emergency Spatial Support Centre is a disaster response programme that equips relevant government agencies with the tools needed to facilitate effective and coordinated emergency response. The smart mapping apps can be viewed and downloaded at http://arcg.is/2gBnQ3K.