The role of MODIS data in visualizing flood disaster information for mass media

Abstract

After its successful launch in 1999, MODIS mission has caused a revolutionary change in earth surface monitoring. Due to very high spatial, spectral, temporal resolutions, easy to use data archive, and, free data availability, MODIS data is becoming popular among researchers and general public, alike. In this paper, we introduced another timely important use of MODIS images, mass media content production to visualize flood disasters. In addition to loss of life, flood disasters often cause unbearable economic and infrastructure destructions to developing countries. Bringing effective visual contents of disasters in such locations to the media of developed world, a positive boost can be expected in the field of flood relief operations and disaster mitigation efforts. A detail case study on recent flood occurred in northeast India and Bangladesh (June 2006) is included to explain various aspects of content production for mass media