Community based flood warning systems- Is this the secret to save our cities from flash floods?

This year, heavy rainfall caused widespread floods in several Indian cities causing significant damage and the loss of human life. This not only raises concerns over the capacity of cities to handle such disasters, but also points to the need for early warning systems that play an important role in minimizing the risks. In India, the Central Water Commission is responsible for issuing flood forecasts and warnings. However, these warnings are largely focused on the increase in water level in rivers and does not indicate the areas where flooding would occur.

To ensure minimum damages due to such extreme weather events, IMD is slowly moving towards an Impact-based forecasting system, especially for monsoons. Impact-based forecasts also include the outcomes of such events for specific locations in the area, apart from regular predictions and warnings. Such forecasts can help local bodies plan better and issue precise early warnings. IMD first rolled out such a forecast for Mumbai and its suburbs in 2020. Now, the authority is planning to do the same for Bangalore.

The Impact-based forecasts can also help in strengthening the community based early warning systems (CBEWS).

CBEWS empowers the community or individuals to act within sufficient time in response to the disaster they face or might face. Such a system calls for participatory approach for establishment of communication and dissemination systems, and a response system as well. For example in 2013, to enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities to flood hazards, 5 CBEWS containing a transmitter and a receiver were installed in the Singora and Jiadhal rivers in Assam. The system was successful in informing community members of potential floods by sending warnings through mobile phones. Another important feature of this system was that the critical flood levels were also set with the help of the local community.

In cities, communities can help in mitigating the risks of urban flooding by being a part of the local early warning chain. This largely includes keeping a check on the steps taken by the local bodies under flood preparedness. For example, the Association of Nagar Road Citizens Forums, a senior citizens group, alerted the Pune Municipal Corporation of poor road conditions that could lead to formation of ponds, pothole and flooding in the city.

Does your city get flooded or waterlogged during rains? How can we actively engage the community and citizens in preparing against it? Share your ideas and thoughts in the comments.