Sun Jun 22 15:40:05 UTC 2025: **News Article Summary:**

**Kottayam High Ranges Embrace Tech for Disaster Preparedness**

KOTTAYAM, India – June 22, 2025 – Responding to increased landslides and flash floods caused by extreme rainfall, the eastern high ranges of Kottayam are implementing a tech-driven early warning system. Rain gauges are being installed to monitor rainfall trends and assess the risk of potential landslides and floods. The initiative, led by the Wayanad-based Hume Centre for Ecology and Wildlife Biology, involves a preliminary study to identify vulnerable zones within the Kanjirappally Block, dividing the area into 2.5-sq.-km grids based on rainfall data.Priority zones include Vagamon, Kootickal, Enthayar, Elamkadu, Koruthodu, and Kanamala, all identified as being at high risk for cloudbursts and landslides.

Complementing this effort, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), and the Environmental Resources Research Centre (ERRC) have partnered to deploy an automated landslide warning system with support from NewSpace India Limited (NSIL). Three Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) have been installed in Theekoy, Poonjar Thekkekara, and Moonnilavu panchayats within the Meenachil river basin. These AWS units continuously track environmental parameters, transmitting real-time data to CUSAT for analysis and early disaster detection. The project aims to pinpoint disaster-prone areas and support focused mitigation and preparedness plans.

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