Reducing risks in a risky world

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Since the devastating 2011 tsunami Japan has been piloting transformative risk reduction solutions in areas prone to severe damage from earthquakes and tsunamis. Better communication is key to these efforts - 35% of people living in flooded areas in 2011 apparently did not hear the radio announcements. Sendai City is working to solve the challenge of reliable communications through the development of an emergency announcement system that uses fully automated drones. These can quickly be dispatched to tell people to evacuate when tsunami alerts are issued. This new system uses a dedicated private wireless communication network and an infrared camera mounted on a drone transmits pictures of affected areas affected to the city's disaster response headquarters in real-time. Ruth Evans talks to people affected by the tsunami and disaster mitigation experts and scientists trying to ensure they never have to face such devastation again. A Ruth Evans production for BBC World Service (Photo: An automated drone standing on its docking station. Credit: Ruth Evans)