Over the past few decades, the intensity and severity of hazards due to natural events have been on the rise primarily due to change in climate, change in land use, and other socio-economic reasons leading to huge economic losses, environmental consequences, and loss of life.

The damage to life and property due to disasters such as floods, and cyclones has been observed to be more in the Asia-Pacific region over the past two decades as compared to the rest of the world. Disasters harm underprivileged communities the most, as they lack resources and knowledge to safeguard themselves before and even during the disasters that occur. 

As communities and nations face the impacts of disasters, it is crucial to integrate disaster risk reduction (DRR) measures into planning and development to protect lives and enhance resilience. For timely preparation and response, early detection, monitoring, and communication of disaster risk information leads to better support for preparedness for the public and policymakers. Early Warning Systems (EWS) are vital tools for saving lives and livelihoods, with early action identified as crucial in disaster management worldwide. 

This publication by Reliance Foundation highlights approaches and learnings from coastal India on multi-hazard early warning systems for early action.