Hyderabad Authorities developing early warning system for flood with the help of IIT

Hyderabad Municipal Corporation's Enforcement Vigilance & Disaster Management (EVDM) wing, in collaboration with IIT-Hyderabad, is working on the development of an urban flood early warning system. This system aims to prevent loss of lives and facilitate early evacuation during heavy rainfall in Hyderabad, a TOI report stated.

Through the use of rainfall data from the past two decades, the flood warning system will identify areas that are vulnerable to flooding. Currently, there are 200 such areas categorized as 'major,' 'medium,' and 'minor.' These areas pose a risk to 12,525 properties.

To gather information about rainfall intensity, wind speed, and other crucial data, the flood warning system will rely on radar, satellite data, and automatic weather stations. Additionally, hydrological sensors, including rain gauges, flow rate monitors, and depth sensors, will be installed in nalas (drains) to monitor water flow during the monsoon season. CCTV cameras will also be placed in vulnerable areas to assess the situation.


As part of the project, all vulnerable areas will be color-coded to indicate the level of risk, possibility of inundation, and the number of affected houses or people. In the event of a flood alert, the system will map nearby resources such as government buildings, rescue teams, hospitals, police stations, and the manpower required for relief measures.

The entire flood warning system will be operated through an emergency operation center, which will be established at the police Integrated Command and Control Center. EVDM has submitted the proposal to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and has received initial consent. The project requires a funding of 57 crore from NDMA.

N Prakash Reddy, Director of EVDM, told TOI, "Once we receive funds from NDMA, we will invite tenders for the project. It will take approximately one year to implement the system on the ground. This system is crucial for improving the city's resilience to floods and ensuring the safety of its residents. We also monitor rescue teams' activities during floods."

The project is a collaborative effort involving GHMC, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the Telangana State Development Planning Society (TSDPS), and the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), according to IIT-Hyderabad.

R Satish, lead researcher and associate professor in the Department of Civil Engineering & Climate Change at IIT-Hyderabad, expressed his satisfaction with the project's progress, saying, "This project has been in my thoughts for the past five years. When we proposed it to GHMC, they immediately approved it. There was a need to develop an early flood warning system that could enhance cities' resilience to floods by integrating meteorological, hydrological, and other stakeholders."