Dharamshala, Nov. 22 -- With the aim to address the rising challenges of climate change and natural disasters in the Himalayan region, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi is developing Virtual Reality (VR) technology to help people understand and prepare for disasters.

Besides, the institute's centre for climate change and disaster management is also working on the deployment of monitoring networks and modelling tools for early-warning and hazard assessment. Using VR headsets, users can experience realistic disaster scenarios in a safe environment. The system shows how a landslide begins, how floodwaters rise, or how buildings react during an earthquake. This helps first responders, officials and community members learn the ri...