NAKHON SI THAMMARAT — Researchers at Walailak University have developed a low-cost landslide early warning system that continues operating even when power or internet service is disrupted, aiming to improve safety in disaster-prone communities in Nakhon Si Thammarat province.
The project, funded by the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC), was led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ajalawit Chantaveerod of the School of Engineering and Technology, with a team of colleagues from the School of Science.
Ajalawit said the Theppharat and Si Khit areas of Sichon district have long faced recurring landslides that threaten more than 1,000 households, while traditional monitoring tools often fail to provide accurate or timely warnings.
The new system uses AIoT technology that combines sensors with AI-driven data analysis to identify risks and issue alerts more precisely and in real time. Five solar-powered sensor nodes track vibrations, soil moisture, rainfall, ground tilt and location data, feeding information to a central gateway for risk assessment.
A dual-layer communication network is designed to keep alerts active in emergencies. Under normal conditions, the system pushes warnings through the LINE app and a web dashboard. If electricity or internet service fails, a LoRaWAN backup network relays alerts directly to administrators, who can then warn residents by radio.
All gateways and sensors run on solar power, enabling continuous 24-hour operation.
Ajalawit thanked APNIC and research assistants for supporting the project, saying their contributions were crucial to completing the system.
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