The Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) is in the process of creating a mobile application that will deliver near real-time information on rain and flood forecasts specifically tailored for Bengaluru city.
Developed in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and funded by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, the mobile app aims to enhance public preparedness. KSNDMC has already introduced the ‘Sidilu’ app, focused on predicting lightning and thunderstorms in advance, providing location-specific warnings to mobile users.
G S Srinivas Reddy, Director of KSNDMC, shared with Indianexpress.com, “The app will furnish detailed flood and rain forecasts for Bengaluru city. Users will receive timely alerts, and the app will highlight low-lying areas susceptible to flooding.”
The app integrates data from KSNDMC’s 100 rain gauge sensors in Bengaluru, offering a comprehensive overview of weather conditions. Additionally, 25 drain sensors, installed in collaboration with Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to monitor stormwater drains, will be incorporated into the app. Reddy explained, “The drain sensors detect water overflow, triggering alerts to BBMP officials to take preventive measures.”
Emergency contact information for BBMP will be included in the application, allowing residents to directly report rain-related concerns. Citizens can also upload pictures of any rain-related issues through the app, facilitating efficient communication and response.
