Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) to bolster disaster preparedness and community resilience in the environmentally fragile Eastern Himalayas. The MoU, signed by SSDMA Director Shri Prabhakar Rai and Amrita’s Provost Dr. Maneesha V. Ramesh, marks a continued collaboration focused on sustainable development, risk reduction, and early warning systems.
Under the partnership, Amrita will deploy AI-driven wireless sensor networks, multilingual educational tools, and digital platforms to enhance early disaster alerts, particularly in remote regions. Since 2013, Amrita has been monitoring the landslide-prone Chandmari area in Gangtok, where over 50 sensors track dynamic ground movement, triggering alerts for both communities and authorities.
Gangtok, often disrupted by landslides and flash floods, stands to benefit from improved disaster warning systems. Local traders and vendors, who face recurring losses due to environmental hazards, welcomed the initiative that promises timely alerts and enhanced safety measures—critical for preserving livelihoods and supply chains in the city’s economic hub.
Officials from SSDMA and Amrita praised the long-standing cooperation and emphasized future plans to scale up awareness campaigns, youth training, and climate resilience across Sikkim.