The Social Impact of IoT in Disasters

Abstract

Disasters, both natural and man-made, pose significant global threats, causing loss of life, economic damage, and social disruption. The rising frequency and severity of such events highlight the urgent need for effective disaster management. The Internet of Things (IoT) offers transformative potential to meet these challenges, particularly by improving early warning systems, enhancing emergency responses, and facilitating post-disaster recovery. This paper explores the role of the IoT in disaster management, highlighting its architecture and applications. It covers benefits such as improved response times, enhanced resource allocation, and reduced casualties, while also discussing challenges namely communication reliability in harsh environments, data security, and standardization issues. Additionally, the paper emphasizes the need for region-specific solutions, particularly in areas like Chongqing and Sichuan in China, which confront unique geological and meteorological risks, suggesting approaches for future research.