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The Evolution of Communication Technology in Disaster Management: An Analysis of Benefits, Challenges and Community Preparedness

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Effective disaster management requires reliable communication systems, especially when addressing severe hydrometeorological threats like monsoons and floods. However, current crisis communication literature shows significant gaps, particularly concerning the effectiveness of these technologies in developing countries and the operational complexities of Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC). This conceptual paper examines the benefits, issues, and challenges of applying communication technology throughout the disaster management cycle, focusing specifically on flood management. Using a critical narrative literature review, this study synthesizes recent academic publications (2019–2026) to analyse current trends in crisis communication. The analysis indicates that integrating tools such as Early Warning Systems (IoT), social media, and big data analytics can accelerate response times, enhance community preparedness, and improve CIMIC coordination in affected areas. Despite these benefits, practical implementation is often hindered by limited telecommunication infrastructure in remote regions, cybersecurity threats, the spread of misinformation, and the digital divide among vulnerable groups. To address this, the paper proposes a conceptual framework illustrating the interactions between technological variables, disaster phases, and moderating challenges. These findings provide practical policy implications for disaster management agencies to develop more inclusive and resilient emergency communication plans, laying the groundwork for future empirical research.
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