Harnessing Citizen Science to Predict Flood Disasters in the Philippines

Typhoon Gaemi floods prompted the use of crowd-sourced data in the Philippines to improve flood prediction models. Citizen engagement in reporting environmental conditions aids accurate forecasts, potentially saving lives. The initiative faces challenges like funding and community trust but offers a cost-effective approach to disaster management.

MANILA, Oct 4 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Crowd-sourced data is emerging as a vital tool in predicting the impact of tropical storms and typhoons that frequently strike the Philippines, say disaster risk experts. The approach aims to enhance forecasting models to save lives by correlating rainfall with actual flooding levels.

In a recent example, Typhoon Gaemi's devastation prompted Mahar Lagmay, head of the Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH), to solicit flooding photos from locals to refine hazard models. This citizen science effort holds promise for tackling the nearly 20 destructive storms the Philippines faces annually, with climate change intensifying the threat.

Despite 48 fatalities from Gaemi in the Philippines, the citizen engagement model offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional flood hazard mapping, often unaffordable for developing nations. However, experts stress the importance of community trust in data sharing. Investing in scientific research and collaboration with local entities is crucial for sustainable disaster response strategies, according to officials.

(With inputs from agencies.)