NEWS – Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a ward-level flood forecasting model for Bengaluru, aimed at mitigating the city’s frequent monsoon flooding.

HIGHLIGHTS

Interdisciplinary Centre for Water Research (ICWAR):

• Developed the flood forecasting model.
• Proposal presented to Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which is actively considering it.

Model Components

• Digital Twin:
  • High-resolution dynamic maps of the city’s boundaries, terrain, stormwater drain network, buildings, and road network.
  • Data sourced from BBMP and Bangalore Development Authority (BDA).
• Hydrologic Models:
  • Analyze water flow and resource management.
• Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) Model:
  • Used to forecast rainfall.

BENEFIT

• Combining various data sets into the digital twin to assess flood probability based on topography and rainfall.
• Provides ward-level flood forecasts.
• Helps understand on-ground situations post-rainfall
  • Digital twin model assists in exploring future scenarios.
• Anticipates higher rainfall intensities with urban growth

CURRENT CHALLENGES  

• Encroachments, blocked drains, and solid waste dumping.
• Loss of interconnectedness of lakes due to these blockages.

Collaboration and Future Plans

• KSNDMC Collaboration:
  • Working with Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) for regular rainfall and flood forecasts.
  • KSNDMC uses data from Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad.
• AquaMap Proposal:
  • IISc submitted another proposal through IIT Madras’s AquaMap to BBMP.