A flood is a common natural disaster that is hazardous. There are ‘thousands’ ways that can be sued to control and manage floods. Did you know that a remote sensing tool is a mighty tool that can be used to manage floods? Remote sensing technology provides various tools that can be used to provide information about floods. After the analysis process, the collected data is essential in laying plans to curb the floods pandemic.
This article shall discuss some of the common applications of remote sensing techniques in flood management.
1. Viewing the affected area
Remote sensors have a wider view since they are airborne components. When there’s a flood, these tools monitor the flooded area. The images taken by the satellite are analyzed and can show the area affected by the floods.
2. Flood Forecasting
Heavy rainfall is the main cause of flooding. Remote sensors can detect changes in weather and climate. Therefore, once heavy rainfall is detected, the data is sent to the weather station, can be used to prepare people for floods.
3. Providing Spatial information
Spatial information is primarily needed during the analysis of floods. Various methods can be used to collect these data, but one of the best methods is using remote sensing tools. Remote sensors provide not only timely information but also accurate and reliable data. Also, since remote sensors are airborne tools, they can access flooded areas easily.
4. Feeding floods models
Floods models are aerial-like pictures that can show the probability of floods in a given area. When designing these models, aerial and pictures with a wide view range are required. The remote sensing technique has played the magic in producing raw materials used in the modeling process. The collected data is then used to predict the occurrence and vulnerability to flooding in the study area.
5. Updating floods analyzes and inventories
For future reference, the information about the flood can be recorded. Floods analyzes and inventories greatly depend on the remote sensor as their main data source. The aerial photographs are analyzed and recorded. The recorded data can be used in the future to avoid losses caused by the flood.
6. Locating people in flooded areas
When floods occur in a given area, many people get stuck. Since the whole land is covered by water, it becomes difficult to rescue them. The rescue team employs remote sensing techniques to locate them. Aerial images are taken from space, and stuck people can be easily be located. Besides flood management, the technique has played a major role in saving many lives in a flooded area.
7. Detecting river Stage and discharge
Apart from heavy rainfall, rivers and other water sources can cause flooding. The remote sensing technique has played a vital role in monitoring the river’s stage and discharge. If the river breaks its walls, the remote sensors end the information to relevant authorities, and people can relocate. Hence, minimizing the risks that the floods would cause.
