Improving the Forecast of Floods  

By: Miriam Zito 

Starting from satellite images captured from hundreds of kilometers of altitude above earth’s surface, investigators from the University of Bristol, analyze the risks of floods in some of the largest regions in the world, data that could be available free of charge against possible natural disasters. 

Through data of fluvial currents and rain, as well as images of large areas (400 by 400 kilometers), the experts develop floods forecast models that map past and present levels reached by the rainwater, which would allow creating future patterns of flow with greater accuracy. 

The effective handling of natural resources and the emergency works against natural catastrophes require the use of data almost in real time. However, the existent technologies for monitoring the water levels are spaced limited, due to the decreasing number of meteorological stations as well as the elevated costs of gathering satellite data with the immediacy and frequency required to act against urgent situations. 

A much more economic alternative, asserts Guy Schumann, expert from the aforementioned university, is using low-resolution spatial images that more frequently capture the data of water levels and in far greater surface extensions.  

The developing algorithm will allow the automated obtaining of information regarding the fluctuating levels of water, and when combined with a global model of floods forecast, it will provide a more accurate estimate of the future changes in the fluvial flows. 

Just like Schumann points out, the results would imply better regional forecast of floods. 

Cubasi Translation Staff