• Source:JND
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An Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) team has created a hyperlocal weather forecasting system for Mumbai that provides accurate forecasts for particular streets, neighborhoods, and locations around the city. The Mumbai Flood App for Android smartphones is the current platform via which the public may access the project, which is a joint effort between the MCGM Centre for Municipal Capacity Building and Research (MCMCR).

In addition to the more than 60 automatic weather stations and rainfall monitoring stations spread around Mumbai and its suburbs, the new system complements the current meteorological data from the Indian Meteorology Department's (IMD) primary observatories in Colaba, Santacruz, and Marine Lines.

In addition to daily projections for the next three days, the forecasting model offers hourly rainfall estimates for the next 24 hours. The method was created by a group of 10 IIT-B workers, instructors, and students.

Subimal Ghosh, the convener of the climate studies programme, said, "We've developed a model for the same at IITB. Now this is available for public through an app as well as on https://mumbaiflood.in/ this web portal."

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The app provides residents with flood notifications in addition to weather forecasts by using sensors at vital areas like the Mithi River and Vakola Nala to detect the water level. Crowdsourced data is also included in the system.

"Apart from this, the app will collect data from citizens only. To upload flood data on the app, we made a provision for the same. With this app, users can upload a location, user's height, and water level. We give four options to select water level. As and when users upload this data, it will be made available to the public immediately," Ghosh explained.

Currently available exclusively on Android, the app seeks to engage Mumbai locals in data-gathering activities. Ghosh underlined the project's community-driven character, saying, "This is an app created for Mumbaikars by Mumbaikars. The data we collect through this app will assist government agencies in developing a flood control plan for the next season."

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