Strengthening Hydrological Monitoring with Advanced Flood Early Warning Systems

The recent release of the World Meteorological Organization's (WMO) State of the Climate in Asia 2023 report has brought into sharp focus the region's vulnerability to natural hazards indicating that the region was the most disaster-prone region globally in 2023, with floods and storms accounting for significant casualties and economic losses. The report underscores the urgent need for heightened preparedness and mitigation efforts. Recent extreme events in the Middle East and East Asia, including unprecedented storms in the UAE and northern Oman, and record rainfall in Guangdong, China, leading to massive disruption in infrastructure and public life, further highlight the pressing challenges posed by extreme weather events in diverse geographical contexts.

Advanced flood early warning systems play a crucial role in safeguarding vulnerable communities. By integrating state-of-the-art technology such as remote sensing, GIS and data analytics into flood monitoring and forecasting, we can forecast impending flood events with greater precision, enabling communities to take proactive measures to mitigate risks and minimize potential impacts on infrastructure and ecosystems. The efficiency of these systems lies in their ability to disseminate accurate flood warnings to areas at risk, allowing authorities to implement evacuation plans, deploy emergency resources, and reinforce flood defenses, thereby safeguarding lives and reducing the severity of economic and environmental consequences associated with flooding events.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has been at the forefront of advancing hydrological monitoring and flood risk management globally through its various initiatives. Among these, the Flash Flood Guidance System with Global Coverage (FFGS) provides an important guidance tool within the "Early Warnings for All" initiative, facilitating timely and precise flash flood alerts and contributing to global disaster risk reduction efforts. Covering over 40% of the world's population across 72 countries, FFGS offers comprehensive modules and extensive training programs, empowering hydrometeorologists and disaster managers in effective flash flood prediction. Developed in collaboration with our partners including the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS)/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the United States Agency for International Development Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA), and the Hydrologic Research Center (HRC), the initiative demonstrates WMO’s continued commitment to promoting international cooperation in safeguarding lives and property against flash flood hazards.

In addition to FFGS, WMO's efforts in this endeavor include the WMO Hydrological Observing System (WHOS), which facilitates reliable exchange and access of hydrological data worldwide, promoting interoperability, and the development and implementation of consensus-based data sharing policies. Meanwhile, the Hydrological Coordination Panel (HCP) serves as the WMO's advisory body on hydrology, addressing global water challenges and integrating hydrological efforts into the broader water agendas.

As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, investing in robust flood early warning systems becomes increasingly imperative to enhance resilience and protect communities from the growing threat of floods. Through initiatives like WHOS, HCP, FFGS, WMO continues to equip our member states with cutting-edge technology and predictive models to forecast flash flood events with unprecedented accuracy, enabling timely dissemination of warnings to communities at risk. We are confident that such efforts will significantly bolster our collective ability to mitigate the impacts of floods, safeguard lives, and build more resilient communities in the face of escalating climate change.