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Better Forecasting and Preparedness: Investing in Improved Weather Services
ADELINE CHOY JOLANTA KRYSPIN-WATSON ZUZANA STANTON-GEDDES
APRIL 27, 2018
In the dly hustle, a simple weather forecast might dictate our wardrobe decisions. Yet for millions living in flood-prone areas worldwide, accurate forecasts and timely warnings can be life-changing events that minimize the impact of floods on lives and assets.
Floods are among the most common yet devastating natural disasters, with damages surpassing $1.6 trillion since 1980 and clming over 225,000 lives. As urbanization accelerates and climate change intensifies these risks, future losses stand to grow significantly, especially in fast-rising economies.
The proverb a single tree does not make a forest, one string cannot make music encapsulates the essence of combining water management, weather patterns, and climate studies. Hydrometeorological services play an indispensable role in forecasting, predicting, and alerting communities about approaching hazards. This proactive approach can provide crucial lead time for evacuation, safeguarding people and property.
Let's delve into the technological advancements that highlight the potential to mitigate flood risks:
Cloud Computing for Weather Forecasting: Lower costs are realized with cloud computing systems assisting private or public weather services by avoiding high-performance computing expenses typically associated with model running infrastructure. Services such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud enable the execution of variouson multiple computers, merging diverse data sources that can lead to more accurate predictions.
Internet of Things IoT for Accurate Floods: New technologies like low-cost sensors connected through IoT networks facilitate collecting large volumes of real-time data essential for assessing flood risks comprehensively. An integrated IoT network aggregates this data, providing a big picture view crucial during emergencies. This technology can also inform longer-term preparedness strategies through data on flood sensors, mobile phones, barometric pressure monitors, and dam alert systems.
Impact-Based Flood Forecasting: With advanced algorithms predicting the impact of a hazard instead of just stating it's coming, communities are better equipped to respond effectively based on potential impacts like property damage or loss of life. This approach bridges the gap between information producers and users.
Visualization Tools Using VR Platforms: Advanced visualization techniques through Virtual Reality platforms d in making large data sets accessible and intuitive for decision-makers. Immersive experiences enable a deeper understanding, leading to better-informed decisions about flood risk management.
In Singapore, this potential is becoming a reality due to the city-state's position as a global hydrohub housing over 180 water companies alongside more than 20 water research centers covering every aspect of water management. Singapore's ongoing investments in national meteorological services and advancements in regional weather and climate research reflect its commitment to resilience agnst growing flood risks.
To harness these tools effectively for flood risk reduction, fostering partnerships between government, industry, and academia is essential. The World Bank Group and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery GFDRR Hydromet Program supported events emphasizing knowledge exchange on strengthening institutions, observation networks, forecasting systems, service delivery, and technology adoption.
The Urban Floods Community of Practice UFCOP, a global platform for sustnable cities, coordinates efforts in disaster risk management, urban development, and water sectors. Collaborations like these are pivotal to building resilient communities agnst the ever-evolving threats posed by climate change.
As we navigate the challenges ahead, leveraging technology and fostering partnerships can significantly enhance our ability to forecast and prepare for floods, ensuring that future decisions not only mitigate risks but also build a more resilient world.
This article is reproduced from: https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/eastasiapacific/better-forecast-better-preparedness-investing-in-improved-weather-services
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Enhanced Weather Forecasting Technologies Flood Risk Mitigation Strategies Collaborative Approaches for Preparedness Advanced Algorithms for Impact Prediction IoT Solutions in Disaster Management Virtual Reality in Flood Visualization