The eThekwini Municipality is taking a bold step into the future by harnessing modern technology to revolutionise disaster risk management and safeguard its communities.

Following a groundbreaking three-day conference focusing on Drone, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the City is paving the way towards smarter, quicker, and more resilient disaster preparedness.

This pivotal conference, which attracted experts and delegates from across the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, culminated in a powerful demonstration of drone capabilities conducted by leading technology companies.

These innovations are poised to significantly enhance early warning systems, facilitate rapid responses, and improve recovery efforts—particularly vital for a region that has faced severe climate-related challenges.

Deputy Mayor Councillor Zandile Myeni hailed the event as a turning point for the region, underscoring the need for technology integration in enhancing urban safety.

“This conference has shown us that using technology for disaster preparedness is about saving lives, protecting communities, and building a city that can withstand the storms,” she stated.

As traditional methods of disaster management become increasingly insufficient in the face of escalating urban risks and climate change, the Municipality is committed to a proactive approach.

“Our goal is to move from reactive to proactive governance, where every decision is informed by data and every community is empowered to respond.”

The Municipality plans to invest significantly in drones for real-time damage assessments, utilise AI for predictive risk analysis, and employ GIS technologies for precise urban planning.

By integrating these dynamic tools into its disaster management framework, eThekwini aims to enhance early warning systems, quicken response times, and support robust infrastructure development.

The conference is an integral part of the city’s Smart City Road Map, demonstrating eThekwini’s commitment to data-driven governance and sustainable urban development practices. Councillor Myeni insists that these modern technologies will enable the Municipality to act decisively before disaster strikes.

“Drones will be deployed for real-time damage assessments, search and rescue operations, and monitoring of critical infrastructure,” she noted.

High-resolution data derived from these advanced technologies will also guide the creation and positioning of resilient infrastructure, including stormwater management systems and housing developments.

In tandem with this, the Municipality plans to roll out capacity-building workshops, ensuring that local disaster teams and communities are well-equipped to harness these new technologies effectively.

IOL 

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