Google: Google is expanding ‘India-first’ flood forecasting capabilities to 80 countries – Times of India
Google launched its AI-powered flood forecasting services, which was first launched in India in 2018, to 60 more countries. This expansion means that the feature, called Flood Hub, will be available in a total of 80 countries.
“As part of our work to use AI to address the climate crisis, today we’re expanding our flood forecasting capabilities to 80 countries,” the company said in a blog post.
“With the addition of 60 new countries across Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and South and Central America, our platform Flood Hub now includes some of the territories with the highest percentages of population exposed to flood risk and experiencing more extreme weather, covering 460 million people globally,” Google said.
Google first launched the tool in India and then expanded it to Bangladesh. The company then launched it in 18 more countries last year.
What is Flood Hub
Flood Hub is a tool that uses AI and “significant computational power” to create better forecasting models that predict when and where floods will occur. According to Google, the tool provides forecasting up to 7 days in advance of a flood — an increase from last year, when information was only available 48 hours in advance.
The company also said that governments, aid organisations, and individuals can use information provided by Flood Hub to take timely action and prepare for riverine floods.
How does Flood Hub work
Google explained that Flood Hub’s AI uses publicly-available data sources, such as weather forecasts and satellite imagery, to collect data.
“The technology then combines two models: the Hydrologic Model, which forecasts the amount of water flowing in a river, and the Inundation Model, which predicts what areas are going to be affected and how deep the water will be,” it said.
Google said that it collaborates with organisations like the Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Indian Red Cross Society, among others to amplify the reach of Flood Hub’s warnings.
The company also said that it is working to expand flood forecasting alerts in Search and Maps.
“As part of our work to use AI to address the climate crisis, today we’re expanding our flood forecasting capabilities to 80 countries,” the company said in a blog post.
“With the addition of 60 new countries across Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and South and Central America, our platform Flood Hub now includes some of the territories with the highest percentages of population exposed to flood risk and experiencing more extreme weather, covering 460 million people globally,” Google said.
Google first launched the tool in India and then expanded it to Bangladesh. The company then launched it in 18 more countries last year.
What is Flood Hub
Flood Hub is a tool that uses AI and “significant computational power” to create better forecasting models that predict when and where floods will occur. According to Google, the tool provides forecasting up to 7 days in advance of a flood — an increase from last year, when information was only available 48 hours in advance.
The company also said that governments, aid organisations, and individuals can use information provided by Flood Hub to take timely action and prepare for riverine floods.
How does Flood Hub work
Google explained that Flood Hub’s AI uses publicly-available data sources, such as weather forecasts and satellite imagery, to collect data.
“The technology then combines two models: the Hydrologic Model, which forecasts the amount of water flowing in a river, and the Inundation Model, which predicts what areas are going to be affected and how deep the water will be,” it said.
Google said that it collaborates with organisations like the Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Indian Red Cross Society, among others to amplify the reach of Flood Hub’s warnings.
The company also said that it is working to expand flood forecasting alerts in Search and Maps.
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