The Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (TNSDMA) will launch ‘TN-SMART’, a web application to collate data related to disaster management and provide flood alerts in specific areas this month.
The disaster support system called Tamil Nadu - System for Multi-hazard potential impact Assessment and Emergency Response Tracking (TN-SMART) will collate existing data on the earlier disasters and also assess the impact of the weather forecast issued by the meteorological department.
This real-time risk assessment system will help provide flood alerts across the State and prepare for response.
The system would be in place to tackle the oncoming North-east monsoon and aid in decision making, said Commissioner of Revenue Administration K. Satyagopal.
The TNSDMA has engaged a consultant through Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited for real-time forecasting of flood warnings for the Adyar, Cooum, Kosasthalaiyar and Kovalam basins.
There are plans to install automatic weather stations and rain gauges in river basins and also flow meters in storm water drain network to assess impact of flooding. Alerts on inundation in specific areas would be provided based on the rainfall and increase in the water level of the rivers, he said.
Such data collated by other departments like Water Resources Department would also be utilised for the flood forecast in the city and neighbouring districts.
The real-time data would also help in deciding on mitigation and rescue measures. It will however take time for the system to be implemented as it is a three-year project.
