IIT Bombay launches platforms for rainfall and flood monitoring in Mumbai
These tools allow Mumbai residents to plan their daily activities more effectively during the monsoon season by giving them up to date information about the weather.
The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) has introduced two new online platforms designed to forecast hyperlocal rainfall and monitor floods during the monsoon season. These innovative tools, created by a team of students, faculty, and staff from IIT-B’s Interdisciplinary Programme in Climate Studies (IDPCS), are focused on providing timely weather and flood updates exclusively for Mumbai residents.
According to various media reports, the platforms accessible via the web portal www.mumbaiflood.in and the Mumbai Flood app offer real-time data on rainfall and waterlogging. These tools allow Mumbai residents to plan their daily activities more effectively during the monsoon season by giving them up-to-date information about the weather.
How the system works
The system pulls weather data from several sources, including the Indian Meteorology Department (IMD) observatories located in Colaba, Santacruz, and Marine Lines. This data is enhanced by over 60 automatic weather and rainfall monitoring stations spread across Mumbai and its surrounding areas.
Using global forecasting systems (GFS) along with artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models, the platforms generate hyperlocal rainfall forecasts. Residents can access hourly predictions for the next 24 hours through the rainfall tab on both the web portal and the app.
In addition to weather forecasts, the platforms also provide live water-level updates from nine flood-prone areas in Mumbai. The data from these monitoring stations is updated in near real-time, giving users accurate information about potential flooding and waterlogging.
One of the unique features of the system is its ability to gather crowdsourced data. Residents can contribute by reporting water levels in their areas through the web portal or app, helping create a more comprehensive flood management system.
The system also keeps track of monsoon-related issues at local railway stations, a crucial feature for Mumbai commuters. Social media posts tagged with #MumbaiRains are also monitored, allowing the system to gauge public sentiment about the monsoon conditions.
Project development and community involvement
This project is part of the HDFC-ERGO IIT Bombay (HE-IITB) Innovation Lab and is funded by HDFC ERGO. The platforms were developed in collaboration with the MCGM Centre for Municipal Capacity Building and Research (MCMCR), with a strong focus on community engagement.
Subimal Ghosh, the convener of the climate studies program at IIT Bombay, emphasized the importance of community involvement. “This is an app made for Mumbaikars by Mumbaikars. The data we collect with this app will help government bodies prepare a flood management plan for next season,” Ghosh said, as quoted by Hindustan Times.
Weather alerts and future plans for safety
In light of heavy rainfall in Mumbai, the Regional Meteorological Department (RMC) issued an orange alert for the city and nearby regions like Thane, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Palghar, Satara, and Kolhapur. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) also issued a high tide warning as Mumbai’s rainfall crossed 1,000 mm this monsoon season.
While the app is currently only available for Android users, it encourages residents to participate in data collection, helping authorities manage future flood situations more effectively.
The launch of these platforms marks a significant step forward in improving Mumbai’s resilience to monsoon-related flooding. By combining advanced technology with community-driven data collection, IIT Bombay’s initiative aims to provide residents with accurate, real-time information that can help them stay safe during the rainy season.
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