South Asian Flash Flood Guidance System

South Asian Flash Flood Guidance System

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-I – Natural disasters & GS-III – Science and Technology 

In news

• Recently, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has launched the South Asian Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS). 
• Aim: To help disaster management teams and governments make timely evacuation plans ahead of the actual event of flooding.

Key takeaways 

• A dedicated FFGS centre will be established in New Delhi. 
• Weather modelling and analysis of rainfall data observations from member countries will be done there.
• Developed by: US-based Hydrologic Research Centre 
• Based on the rainfall and potential flooding scenario, flash flood warnings will be issued to respective nations.
• Flash flood threat warning will be issued six hours in advance. 
• Flood risk warning will be issued 24 hours in advance. 
• Warnings about watershed level will be issued 12 hours in advance.

Important value additions 

Flash Floods

• These are sudden surges in water levels during or following an intense spell of rain.
• These are localised events of short duration. 
• The peak is usually very high. 
• The duration is less than six hours between the occurrence of the rainfall and peak flood.
• The flood situation worsens if the drainage lines are choked or the natural flow of water is obstructed.