Andhra Pradesh: RTGS Unveils AI Platform To Predict Urban Floods Before They Strike
It combines artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, satellite-based terrain mapping and hydrological modelling to provide highly accurate flood forecasts and real-time warnings: Reports
VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh has taken a major leap towards climate-resilient urban governance with the launch of City Flood Alert.
This is an advanced AI-powered forecasting platform designed to predict urban flooding before it occurs and enable the authorities to initiate preventive measures well in advance.
Developed on advice from chief minister Chandrababu Naidu, the platform has been built by the RTGS AWARE Division in collaboration with the state disaster management authority and experts from IIT Gandhinagar.
It combines artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, satellite-based terrain mapping and hydrological modelling to provide highly accurate flood forecasts and real-time warnings.
The system will initially be deployed in Vijayawada that has repeatedly faced flooding from the Budameru stream during heavy rains, before being expanded to other urban areas.
The City Flood Alert platform offers rainfall forecasts up to 48 hours in advance and flash flood predictions up to six hours before rain. It identifies flood-prone hotspots at the ward level, automatically sends early warning alerts to government officials and provides real-time decision support for emergency response teams.
A key feature of the platform is its high-resolution Digital Elevation Model created using satellite imagery.
RTGS has digitally mapped Vijayawada ward by ward, capturing terrain elevations, drainage networks and flood-vulnerable zones. The predictive model has been developed using nearly three decades of Budameru flood data, enabling it to simulate flood behaviour under different rainfall scenarios with high accuracy.
The system also identifies drainage channels affected by silt accumulation and potential backflow, allowing civic authorities to undertake desilting and preventive maintenance before heavy rainfall.
Whenever a flood threat is detected, the platform automatically shares actionable intelligence with APSDMA, which will alert municipal commissioners, district collectors, ward-level officials and other field agencies.
The advance warnings will help authorities’ clear drains, prevent waterlogging, deploy emergency response teams and evacuate residents from vulnerable areas.
The technology is based on IIT Gandhinagar's successful Flood Astra pilot in Gurugram.
