The Role of Social Media in Disaster Communication: A Study of Community Responses During Natural Calamities

This study examines the critical role of social media in disaster communication, focusing on how communities engage with, respond to, and recover from natural disasters. The research explores platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram as tools for realtime communication, community mobilisation, and disaster relief coordination. Using case studies of recent natural disasters (such as the Kerala floods, Nepal earthquake, and Cyclone Amphan), the paper analyses both the positive impacts and challenges posed by social media, including misinformation and digital exclusion. The findings highlight that social media, when used effectively, can enhance crisis response, promote solidarity, and accelerate recovery.