The Indian government has introduced the ‘FloodWatch’ app in response to increasing flood-related incidents causing loss of life and property. The app gathers data from 338 stations to provide immediate flood updates across 23 states and Union Territories. Utilizing satellite data analysis, mathematical modeling, and real-time monitoring, ‘FloodWatch’ delivers accurate 7-day flood forecasts. It offers a user-friendly interface and disseminates alerts and forecasts in written and audio formats. The app currently supports English and Hindi, with plans to extend to other regional languages. Although yet to reach flood-affected Himachal Pradesh, it aims to expand there within six months.
Prelims pointer
- Central Water Commission (CWC): A government body responsible for water resource management in India, overseeing the ‘FloodWatch’ app’s development and operation.
- Satellite Data Analysis: The process of analyzing information gathered by satellites to provide insights into various phenomena, here used for accurate flood forecasts in ‘FloodWatch’.
- Mathematical Modeling: A method of creating mathematical representations of real-world systems, applied in the app to simulate flood scenarios and predict outcomes.
- User-Friendly Interface: A design that ensures ease of use for individuals interacting with the app, simplifying access to flood-related information.
- Regional Languages: Languages spoken in specific regions of India, such as Bengali, Tamil, or Marathi, to be incorporated into ‘FloodWatch’ for wider accessibility.