IISc Develops Ward-Level Flood Forecasting Model

In May, 2024, researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a cutting-edge ward-level flood forecasting model for Bengaluru, aimed at mitigating the impact of monsoon rains in the tech hub.

This innovative tool leverages a "digital twin" of the city to provide detailed flood predictions and help civic authorities take proactive measures.
The Interdisciplinary Centre for Water Research (ICWAR) at IISc has proposed the model to the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which is actively considering its adoption.
The IISc team is using high-resolution dynamic maps and hydrologic models to create a digital replica of Bengaluru, incorporating data on the city's boundaries, terrain, stormwater drains, buildings, and road network.
The model integrates these data sets with a Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) model to forecast rainfall and predict flood-prone areas based on topographical conditions and expected precipitation.
The team collaborates with the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), which provides regular rainfall and flood forecasts to the BBMP using data from the Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad.
The digital twin model allows for "what if?" scenario planning to anticipate future flooding scenarios in the face of urban growth and increased rainfall intensities.
An additional proposal, submitted through 'AquaMap' of IIT Madras, aims to build capacity and infrastructure at BBMP for handling large amounts of rainfall and flood data, with the goal of eventually transferring the framework to the BBMP.