Sri Lanka (Department of Irrigation) -201512

< Last Update: Oct. 21, 2016 >

SAFE Prototyping Status: December 2015 - <On-going>

Developing and Implementing an Operational Prototype for Advanced Flood Forecasting, Early Warning, and Data Sharing System in the Kalu Ganga Basin, Sri Lanka

Department of Irrigation

Sri Lanka is highly a flood prone country. There is fairly good river stage monitoring system for floods, but no early warning and forecasting systems. Accordingly, this project will develop a comprehensive framework for monitoring, early warning, and flood related disaster management system in Kalu ganga basin including the gathering and gaps filling of observed data, utilization of state of the art satellite observation (provided by JAXA) and numerical modeling (assisted by ICHARM), and enhancement of the knowledge and coordination through data sharing, capacity building and training to local staffs.
The objectives of the project are;

1) Development and implementation of an advanced operational prototype system for flood forecasting and early warning by utilizing near-real time in-situ and satellite (GSMaP) observations and rainfall-runoff-inundation models

2) Capacity building and workshop activities for staff of Irrigation Department and practitioners to enhance practical know-how and scientific knowledge

3) Development of data and output sharing and supporting system for disseminating real-time information for beneficiary agencies.

Study Area

Kalu River Basin

Study Area: Kalu River Basin in Sri Lanka

Work Plan

- Activity # 1: Identify the nature of bias in GSMaP rainfall products using real time and non-real time rainfall data. Apply the available bias correction algorithm of GSMaP to improve the rainfall accuracy further.

- Activity # 2: Develop an operational flood forecasting and early warning system based on rainfall-runoff-inundation model in Kalu river basin, using bias corrected GSMaP data and real-time gauges.

- Activity # 3: Development of a data and output sharing, supporting, and feed-back system for disseminating information and enhancing the dialog.

- Activity # 4: Capacity building, training, and workshop activities for inter-agencies and practitioners to enhance practical know-how and scientific knowledge.

First Year Work Plan

First Year Work Plan

Second Year Work Plan

Second Year Work Plan

Developed System / Application

Developed System / Application

Zoom

Current Achievement

1) Bias correction of GSMaP:

Current Achievement: Bias correction of GSMaP

Zoom

2) Developing a flood forecasting and early warning system

Current Achievement: Developing a flood forecasting and early warning system

Zoom

3) Training

RRI model training for 23 Engineers were held at KITI-IWM with the support of ICHARM, JAXA, AIT and UNU

Current Achievement: Training

Current Achievement: Training member

Expected Operational Usage

1) Update in the available observation network and technology

2) Development of operational forecasting and early warning systems

3) Enhancement of disaster management activities by improving the resource management system through disseminating information on flooding and droughts through the collaboration between inter-agencies, government and non-government organization, and practitioners.

4) Gain Knowledge in science and technology

5) Disseminate the real-time information to Disaster Management Center of Sri Lanka and local government authorities to take necessary actions for disaster risk and damage reductions.

6) Capacity building for sustainable system operation in the society through enhancement of the knowledge.

7) Engage with universities for national scientific developments.

8) Toward sustainable development through enhanced dialogues between stake holders, inter-agencies, practitioners and local people by demonstrating the co-benefits and trade-offs based on scientific information.

9) Advantages of GSMaP in flood forecasting and early warning will be demonstrated by improving the products using real-time and non-real time rainfall data.

10) Reputation & utilization of corrected GSMaP and other satellite product (GCOM-W/AMSR2, ALOS-2) will be enhanced.

11) Advanced methods and models which will be developed or improved in this project have great potential for applications in other developing countries.

12) This study can be a prototype for several other basins in our country and other developing countries.

Formation

1) Prototyping Executor

Department of Irrigation
(Focal point: Eng. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara)

2) Technical Supporter

- International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM)
- The University of Tokyo
- United Nation University of Japan
- Asian Institute of Technology (AIT)

3) Data & Application Provider

a) Satellite Data
- GSMaP (Bias Correction)
- GCOM-W/AMSR-2 (Soil Moisture Initialization)
- ALOS-2 (Inundation)
b) Other Data
- Rain Gauge