Disaster Management and Communication Technology: The Prospect of Social Media

Abstract

A major concern in disaster management is how to minimize damage to the society. In this endeavor, the prime focus has always been given to saving lives. However, in recent times issues associated with loss of property have emerged as another area of concern. During disaster, the most critical challenge before the disaster managers is how to sustain communication with the affected population and also with those who are likely to be impacted by it. Such a challenge generates the understanding that communication tools do have a significant role in managing disasters. Moreover, the above thinking conventionally has been found to be channelized through the traditional Media like Print media, Radio, and Television. Due to the faster changes in communication technology, we have now social media, which has emerged as an alternative communication tool for study among the scholars working on disaster research. Taking into account the above technological shift, this chapter focuses into how the Indian government has used this tool in spreading information to connect with the affected population. How far it has been able to establish a sustained two-way communication within the governmental agencies and with citizens is an area that needs to be assessed. Does it bear the prospect of being a crisis management communication tool in addressing disaster-related issues? All these concerns have been elaborated with the core argument that the use of social media in managing disasters has opened up a new chapter toward digital democracy in disaster management practices.