GUWAHATI: In a bid to tackle flood situations effectively, the Cachar district administration in Assam has rolled out an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered application called Rapid Action for Humanitarian Assistance in Tragedies (RAHAT). This app aims to establish connectivity among people, security forces, and government agencies during floods.
RAHAT is poised to facilitate the sharing of critical information for early warning dissemination, evacuation procedures, search and rescue operations, and the supply of essential items, particularly in remote areas. Last year, Assam witnessed widespread devastation due to floods, with 324,938 people affected across 18 districts, including Cachar, which emerged as one of the worst-hit regions.
The district reported over 45 deaths, the highest in the state, during the 2022 floods, impacting over 85% of the population. The app, equipped with AI capabilities, is hailed as an advancement in integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into disaster risk prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery efforts in the district.
The application features various user logins tailored to specific roles, such as administrative access, relief centre management, and coordination with response agencies and volunteers. The district has reportedly already garnered positive feedback, prompting discussions with state authorities for potential adoption in other flood-prone districts.