Lok Sabha Question No. 4308 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-18
Subject: Satellite-based Disaster Monitoring Mechanisms
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Shri Tariq Anwar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4308 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2026

## SATELLITE-BASED DISASTER MONITORING MECHANISMS 4308.  SHRI TARIQ ANWAR:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of  the  satellite-based  monitoring  mechanisms immediately activated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) during natural disasters like floods, droughts and cyclones in the country along with the protocol under which the information obtained from them is disseminated;
- (b) the  mechanism  in  place  for  the  utilization  of  data  obtained from the Earth Observation satellites of ISRO in the formulation of national level policies pertaining to agriculture, water resources and forest cover in the country; and
- (c) whether  there  is  any  time-bound  plan  for  the  upgradation  of space  technology  for the continuous surveillance of the borders  and  maritime  areas  of  the  country,  so  as  to  further strengthen national security and resource management?

O.I.H.

## ANSWER GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

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- (a) ISRO/ DoS initiates tasking of Indian Earth Observation Satellites to capture data over the area affected or anticipated to be affected by the disaster. In addition to this, depending on the  expected  severity  of  the  disaster,  ISRO/DoS  activates  the International Charter for Space & Major Disasters, for satellite data support  from  its  17  member  agencies  and  16  data contributors,  towards  managing  disaster  including  floods  & cyclones. On the possible formation of depression & cyclones in Indian Ocean, India Meteorological Department (IMD) requests rapid scan from the INSAT-3DR, which continues till the cyclone persists over region. The INSAT-3DR, INSAT-3DS and Oceansat-3 satellites are also used for cyclogenesis prediction, cyclone detection, monitoring of storm evolution, track prediction  and  landfall  assessment.  Near-real  time  inundation maps are generated for riverine & cyclonic floods and the maps are disseminated to MHA, NDMA and concerned State Disaster Management Authorities. Triggers and indicators of drought are generated using satellite data inputs and ancillary data through the National Geospatial Drought portal implemented on ISRO's Vedas Geoportal.  Rapid damage assessment is also carried out using  satellite  data  for  disasters  such  as  Earthquakes  and Landslides.  The  satellite  data  and  value  added  products  are
- disseminated  to  the  users  through  ISRO's  Geoportals  such  as Bhoonidhi, MOSDAC, Bhuvan and NDEM, as per the Indian Space Policy 2023 and National Geospatial Policy.
- (b) Government has implemented the Space Application Management  System  (SAMS)  in  2021  for  assessing  the  need aspects of Earth observation satellites, recommending its cost share by the user segment and ensuring effective utilisation of its  data  in  addressing  national  development  imperatives  & policy formulations across thematic domains such as Agriculture, Water, and Forests;
- (c) Yes.  A  host  of  satellites  and  associated  ground  systems  are approved  by  the  Government,  which  are  to  be  realised  in  the next  five  years  as  part  of  the  Disaster  Monitoring  mechanism which strengthens the resource management  and serves national security purposes enabling continuous surveillance of borders and maritime areas of the country.

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