VIA Water has the pleasure to host a lunch lecture by Hanneke Schuurmans (Royal HaskoningDHV) on the 'Flash Flood Forecasting' app, the first VIA Water Climate Change project.  

Flood forecasting is based on rain storm and hydrological models that were developed in the Netherlands. Standard flood warnings broadcast by radio to residents are often too late and inaccurate. This reactive approach suffers from incorrect rainfall estimates and predictions due to the absence of a hydrological model to predict floods. Since almost every Ghanaian has access to a cell phone, an app is the most accessible early warning device allowing for a proactive response. The Flash Flood Forecasting app draws from modern satellite data and a new generation of flood modelling. The app gives Ghanaians more control over their own safety hours earlier and with 50% more accuracy.

A consortium that includes Royal HaskoningDHV is going to support the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in Ghana to implement an informed response process to mitigate the risk of flash floods and ensuing damage. The app is based on a rain storm forecasting, which is put in a 3Di model for flood prediction. Predictions will then be translated into a warning system that suits the needs of the inhabitants. Storm forecasting is based on several information systems to avoid that it becomes too vulnerable to disruption or break down in one of the systems.

The good news is that the first blueprint of the app is ready and a one year pilot phase in Accra is planned to begin in September 2016. The largest challenge to overcome is to ensure the app is accessible to the poorest and most vulnerable members of society, meaning it needs to be free of charge.

Are you interested to learn more? Watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1kGwVoWguFk and come and listen to the presentation of Hanneke Schuurmans:

Date:                                     30 June 2016

Time:                                    13:00 – 13:45

Location:                             Unesco-IHE, Westvest 7, Delft, The Netherland (Auditorium, A1A)

More information:           https://www.viawater.nl/news/first-via-water-climate-change-project

Registration:                     info@viawater.nl