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Towards Formulation of a Space-borne System for Early Warning of Floods: Can Cost-Effectiveness Outweigh Prediction Uncertainty?

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  • Faisal Hossain

Abstract

The three most important components necessary for functioning of an operational flood warning system are: (1) a rainfall measuring system; (2) a soil moisture updating system; and, (3) a surface discharge measuring system. Although surface based networks for these systems can be largely inadequate in many parts of the world, this inadequacy particularly affects the tropics, which are most vulnerable to flooding hazards. Furthermore, the tropical regions comprise developing countries lacking the financial resources for such surface-based monitoring. The heritage of research conducted on evaluating the potential for measuring discharge from space has now morphed into an agenda for a mission dedicated to space-based surface discharge measurements. This mission juxtaposed with two other upcoming space-based missions: (1) for rainfall measurement (Global Precipitation Measurement, GPM), and (2) soil moisture measurement (Hydrosphere State, HYDROS), bears promise for designing a fully space-borne system for early warning of floods. Such a system, if operational, stands to offer tremendous socio-economic benefit to many flood-prone developing nations of the tropical world. However, there are two competing aspects that need careful assessment to justify the viability of such a system: (1) cost-effectiveness due to surface data scarcity; and (2) flood prediction uncertainty due to uncertainty in the remote sensing measurements. This paper presents the flood hazard mitigation opportunities offered by the assimilation of the three proposed space missions within the context of these two competing aspects. The discussion is cast from the perspective of current understanding of the prediction uncertainties associated with space-based flood prediction. A conceptual framework for a fully space-borne system for early-warning of floods is proposed. The need for retrospective validation of such a system on historical data comprising floods and its associated socio-economic impact is stressed. This proposal for a fully space-borne system, if pursued through wide interdisciplinary effort as recommended herein, promises to enhance the utility of the three space missions more than what their individual agenda can be expected to offer. Copyright Springer 2006

Suggested Citation

  • Faisal Hossain, 2006. "Towards Formulation of a Space-borne System for Early Warning of Floods: Can Cost-Effectiveness Outweigh Prediction Uncertainty?," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 37(3), pages 263-276, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:37:y:2006:i:3:p:263-276
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-005-4645-0
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Scott Curtis & Thomas Crawford & Scott Lecce, 2007. "A comparison of TRMM to other basin-scale estimates of rainfall during the 1999 Hurricane Floyd flood," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 43(2), pages 187-198, November.
    2. Md. Shahinoor Rahman & Liping Di, 2017. "The state of the art of spaceborne remote sensing in flood management," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 85(2), pages 1223-1248, January.
    3. Tsun-Hua Yang & Wen-Cheng Liu, 2020. "A General Overview of the Risk-Reduction Strategies for Floods and Droughts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-20, March.
    4. Faisal Hossain & Nitin Katiyar & Yang Hong & Aaron Wolf, 2007. "The emerging role of satellite rainfall data in improving the hydro-political situation of flood monitoring in the under-developed regions of the world," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 43(2), pages 199-210, November.

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