Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, a leading multidisciplinary university and research institution, continues to strengthen India’s science and technology ecosystem through its pioneering research in disaster risk reduction, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies.
At the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC 2025) organized by the Department of Science and Technology under the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India Amrita’s researchers showcased advancements that highlight how academic research can translate into real-world impact. Work underscored the vital role of universities in driving innovation aligned with India’s vision for Viksit Bharat 2047.
Amrita’s research contributions, developed through government-supported collaborations, is a real-time landslide warning system that integrates sensor networks, data analytics, and wireless communication to monitor vulnerable slopes and provide early alerts. This interdisciplinary initiative bridges engineering, data science, and environmental studies, reinforcing the value of education-driven research in solving national challenges.
The technology is currently operational in Kerala, Sikkim, and Odisha, providing real-time data to disaster management authorities and communities. Embedded IoT sensors track parameters such as rainfall intensity, soil moisture, pore pressure, and ground movement, transmitting data to centralized systems for continuous analysis. When anomalies are detected, alerts are issued to enable timely evacuation and preventive measures.
This early warning model—built on IoT, edge computing, and predictive analytics—represents a scalable and adaptive approach to risk management. It enables a shift from reactive disaster response to proactive mitigation strategies, contributing to India’s national disaster resilience framework and aligning with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Operational in Munnar, Kerala, the system has successfully issued early warnings during heavy rainfall events. In Sikkim’s Chandmari area and Odisha’s Gajapati district, it continues to strengthen community preparedness in regions prone to recurring landslides.
With nearly 12 percent of India’s terrain classified as landslide-prone, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s research exemplifies how education and technology can converge to protect lives and livelihoods. The university’s focus on applied learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and technology transfer continues to shape India’s scientific and societal progress through research with measurable community impact.
Prof. P. Venkat Rangan, Vice Chancellor of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, highlighted the university’s human-centred approach to AI, stating, “Artificial Intelligence enhances human intelligence and addresses large-scale societal challenges such as healthcare delivery, disaster prediction, education, and sustainable development. At Amrita, we aim to make sure that AI research not only advances technology but also improves humanity through ethical and compassionate application.”
Supporting this sentiment, Dr. Sasangan Ramanathan, Dean Academics and Dean – Faculty of Engineering, added, “Government’s launch of the Research, Development, Innovation scheme fund is a welcome encouragement towards Indian companies investing in R&D, thereby promoting product development in India.”
