ISRO will share its data with small islands countries to help them with early disaster warnings – PM Modi

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will establish a special “data window” for small island nations, generating and disseminating satellite data that will aid these countries in strengthening their defences against climate disasters, India announced on Tuesday at the United Nations Climate Change Conference.

This will be part of a new international programme funded by India that aims to make vital infrastructure in small island states more resilient to all types of disasters.

In the presence of leaders from some of these countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Boris Johnson formally launched the IRIS (Infrastructure for the Resilient Island States) programme.

“India is already assisting island countries in the Pacific and elsewhere in managing climate change threats. India is initiating yet another programme in this effort. Modi stated, “Our space agency, ISRO, would develop a unique data window for SIDS (Small Island Developing States).”

“The small island states will receive constant information through this technique, which will assist them in monitoring cyclones, coral reefs, and coastlines,” he said.

IRIS is the first major initiative of the Coalition of Disaster Resilience Infrastructure (CDRI), worldwide cooperation founded by India two years ago to protect critical infrastructure from climate disasters.

The coalition now includes 26 countries, as well as certain UN agencies, international development banks, and financial institutions.

“It’s very sad that these vulnerable small island republics are right on the front lines of global warming’s loss and harm. They have done almost little to contribute to the situation. Prime Minister Johnson, whose government has pledged ten million pounds to the programme, said, “Every country that has contributed to carbon dioxide must contribute to this campaign.”

Because of the priority accorded to key infrastructure projects in the financial pipeline, Modi stated that IRIS would not only strengthen infrastructure but would also assist countries in gaining access to technology and finance from the industrialised world.

Modi added, “This will also produce money and employment.”