flood forecasting News | Environmental XPRT

Bangladesh flood forecast ignored

Forecasts of Bangladesh’s current floods were largely ignored by people living in the affected areas, say scientists, exposing gaps in disaster preparedness. At least 100 people died and 250,000 were left homeless when flash floods and landslides that followed torrential rains in Bangladesh in the last week of June, according to officials. Ainun Nishat, vice-chancellor of the BRAC ...

Jul. 6, 2012

By SciDev.Net

With flooding in the forecast this spring, quickly filling sandbags may be the answer for protection

The last thing anyone wants to do is fill sandbags to protect their communities from rising flood waters. With the flood forecasts for this spring, sandbagging may be required but with the SandMaster, filling large quantities of sandbags can be done very quickly. With the capability of creating and placing 15,000-18,000 sandbags in a 24 hour period, the SandMaster may just be the difference ...

Apr. 30, 2013

By Barrier Systems, LLC

Researchers get flood forecasting off the ground

Scientists have built a model that accurately predicts floods without data from the ground. Until recently, ground observations were needed alongside satellite data to build a full-enough picture to model climate and extreme weather events. And as worldwide annual losses due to flooding are predicted to reach at least US$1 trillion in 2050, scientists are seeking a solution for countries that ...

Mar. 26, 2015

By SciDev.Net

Communities urged to prepare for heavy rainfall on New Year’s Day

There is a continuing risk of flooding today, particularly in the south west of England, as rivers respond to heavy rainfall overnight. On New Year’s Day, heavy rain is expected which could cause flooding to communities in the south east and south west of England. The Environment Agency is urging communities to prepare in advance by signing up for free flood warnings and to take action if ...

Dec. 30, 2013

By The Environment Agency - England and Wales

Pakistan flood data wasted, say critics

A huge effort to collect and analyse data on the devastating floods wreaking havoc in northern Pakistan has been severely undermined by a lack of strategies for disaster management and the dissemination of information, scientists and disaster experts have said. The Pakistan Meteorological Department's flood forecasting division provides information on the size and flow of the floods using data ...

Sep. 4, 2010

By SciDev.Net

Sri Lanka `poorly equipped to forecast floods`

Poor flood forecasting facilities contributed to the damage caused by recent extensive floods in Sri Lanka, the worst in nine decades, scientists said. Between 1 December 2010 and 12 January 2011, Sri Lanka's northern and eastern districts received rainfall that almost equalled the area’s total monsoon rains from December to February each year, according to the Colombo-based Disaster ...

Feb. 3, 2011

By SciDev.Net

US Geological Survey develops online map tracking flood conditions

As expected rains drive flood waters higher along the Mississippi River Valley, USGS crews are in the field collecting data needed to update the flood maps, prepare forecasts, manage the flood and warn communities. This new system is part of the USGS WaterWatch suite of web-based streamflow products and can be accessed at the Map of flood and high flow conditions Web site. 'The water monitoring ...

Apr. 9, 2008

By U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

Large-scale early flood warning systems provide high returns on investment

Continental-scale early flood warning systems in Europe can provide significant monetary benefits by reducing flood damage and associated costs. Specifically, a new study found that the return from the European Flood Awareness System (EFAS) and available flood damage data has the potential to be as high as approximately 400 euros for every one euro invested. Early flood warnings — and ...

Sep. 3, 2015

By European Commission, Environment DG

Major flooding exercise to test emergency response in England and Wales

A large-scale emergency flood exercise will take place across England and Wales to test national and regional responses to severe flooding from rivers, the sea, reservoirs, groundwater and surface water. Exercise Watermark will bring together government bodies, big business, and local communities to trial responses to a range of scenarios which could occur during a flood emergency. Environment ...

Sep. 30, 2010

By Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Flood forecast improving but the risk of flooding continues

Parts of southern, south west and central England remain at risk of flooding as river levels remain high. While the overall picture is starting to improve as river levels stabilise, risks to people and property remain. Severe flood warnings remain in place along the Thames and in Somerset where water levels continue to rise in response to recent rainfall. Ground water flooding also continues to ...

Feb. 16, 2014

By The Environment Agency - England and Wales

As the rain prompts flood fears in Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, sandbags will be needed and lots of them.

With the recent forecast for flooding in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri, The need for quick and efficient sandbagging becomes a priority. The SandMaster can satisfy that need with its ability to create and place 15,000-18,000 sandbags in a 24 hour period. 3 people can do the work of 40 allowing for the quick construction of temporary berms, dikes and structures. The deference between DEVASTATION ...

Apr. 17, 2013

By Barrier Systems, LLC

UK Met Office advances severe weather forecasting

The Met Office has announced significant developments in its science and technology capability to provide more precise pinpointing of where and when extreme rainfall will occur, helping to strengthen the UK’s resilience to major severe weather events. The latest advances mean that severe rainfall forecasts will now be available a further day in advance and the location of individual storms will ...

Jun. 18, 2008

By The Met Office

Pakistani scientists reject flood criticism

Pakistani meteorologists have rejected claims that last year's flood damage could have been reduced if they had collaborated with a major European forecasting centre. The floods, which occurred last July, killed just under 2,000 people, disrupted the lives of 20 million and damaged a fifth of the country. A study — accepted for publication by Geophysical Research Letters — said that ...

Feb. 10, 2011

By SciDev.Net

Met Office welcomes Pitt Review recommendations on flooding control

The Met Office welcomes calls for a joint centre to deal with the issue of severe weather and flooding in the UK. The final report of Sir Michael Pitt's Flooding Lessons Learnt Review recommends combining the expertise of the Met Office and the Environment Agency. The review also indicated that continuous investment will be required to support the development of integrated forecasting and ...

Jun. 26, 2008

By The Met Office

China and Nepal agree to cooperate on mountain science

China has agreed to share scientific knowledge with Nepal on the effects of climate and environmental changes on the Tibetan plateau in order to spur sustainable development. The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) signed memorandums of understanding earlier this month (7 April) with Nepalese research institutions the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and Tribhuvan ...

Apr. 30, 2014

By SciDev.Net

Environment Agency helps communities `bounce back` from winter floods

Many of the communities devastated by last winter's floods are now much better prepared thanks to a dedicated team of Agency officers who have been out and about helping people develop greater flood resilience. Two villages that have benefited from their support and advice are Roadwater and Washford near Minehead, Somerset where nearly 20 properties flooded in November 2012. Both communities lie ...

Dec. 2, 2013

By The Environment Agency - England and Wales

Drivers and home-owners in the South West urged to be flood aware

Drivers were today urged to 'think not sink' and be 'floodaware' as heavy rain threatened to hit the Christmas getaway Communities across southern and south west England were also asked by the Environment Agency to be vigilant and take action to protect their homes from possible flooding. Heavy rain and high winds are set to sweep back in to England on Monday bringing an increased risk of ...

Dec. 23, 2013

By The Environment Agency - England and Wales

Tri-Tech Holding Wins Multiple Contracts in Water and Water Resources Management

Tri-Tech Holding Inc. (Nasdaq: TRIT), which provides turn-key water resources management, water and wastewater treatment, industrial safety and pollution control solutions, announced today that it has secured several contracts for wastewater treatment, high-rising building water supply equipment procurement and flash flood forecasting projects. The aggregate value of all contracts is ...

Dec. 11, 2012

By Tri-Tech Holding Inc.

Communities urged to stay vigilant as severe flood warnings remain in force

Strong winds, a storm surge and high tides combined to cause flooding to communities across the country including Looe, Polperro and Mevagissey in Cornwall and Dartmouth and Lynmouth in Devon. Elsewhere, high tides have affected the north west, south east and tidal reaches of the river Severn. A second high tide will affect coastal areas this evening and people are being urged to remain ...

Jan. 3, 2014

By The Environment Agency - England and Wales

New USGS Streamgages Provide Flood Monitoring for Additional Philadelphia Neighborhoods

Philadelphia communities along the Schuylkill River and Darby Creek now have new tools to help inform residents of impending flooding. The U.S. Geological Survey recently installed three new streamgages in Manayunk, Eastwick, and downtown near 30th St., which will monitor water levels, and provide vital data used by emergency managers and flood forecasters to help protect lives and property. ...

Feb. 28, 2017

By U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)

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