Comprehensive News & Analysis

02-11-2020 | 10:48 AM

IMD launched the South Asian Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS)

Context

The South Asian Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS) has recently been launched by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which aims to help disaster management teams and governments make timely evacuation plans ahead of the actual flood event. Under this, IMD will release impact-based forecasting at the watershed and city level of floods which are very sudden and are of short duration.

What are Flash Floods?

Flash floods are unexpected water level surges during or after an extreme rainfall. These are extremely localised short-term occurrences with a very high peak within three to six hours and the water run-off quantity is very high. The flood situation worsens in the presence of choked drainage lines or encroachments obstructing the natural flow of water.

Concerns related to Flash Floods Forcasting

• Flash flood forecasting is very difficult as an incident occurs within 3 to 6 hours and the amount of water run-off is very heavy.
• Frequency of extreme rainfall events has increased due to climate change and South Asia is highly prone to flash floods.
• Data suggests that globally, approximately 5,000 individuals die every year from flash floods annually.
• Despite such high mortality there was no robust forecasting or warning mechanism for flash floods.

Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS)

• The 15th WMO Congress approved the implementation of a Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS) project with worldwide coverage, acknowledging that flash floods have detrimental impact on the lives and properties of the affected populations.
• So, South Asian Flash Flood Guidance System has been developed by US-based Hydrologic Research Centre after the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and few South Asian countries put forth their views and the urgent need for such a warning system.
• Further, WMO has entrusted India with the responsibility of Regional Centre of South Asia Flash Flood Guidance System for coordination, development, and its implementation.
• The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) launched the South Asian Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS).
• A dedicated FFGS centre will be built in New Delhi, where weather modelling and analysis of rainfall data observations from member countries will be carried out.
• In developing the system, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Central Water Commission (CWC) partnered.
• Flash flood warnings will be issued to respective nations based on the rainfall and potential flooding scenario.
• Flash flood threat warning will be issued six hours in advance, whereas flood risk warning will be issued 24 hours in advance. The watershed level warnings will be issued 12 hours in advance.

Note:

India is leading the delegation of nations which includes countries like Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, in sharing hydrological and meteorological data to prepare flash flood forecasts.