The research began with a pilot in India's Patna region in 2018 and expanded to cover 360 million people in India and Bangladesh. Recognizing the limitations of relying on local data, the team pivoted to a global model using LSTM networks and global data sources. In 2022, the Flood Hub platform was launched, providing access to forecasts in 20 countries. By 2023, the platform had expanded to 80 countries, covering 460 million people. The technology is now used by individuals, communities, governments, and aid organizations to take anticipatory action to protect vulnerable populations.
Key takeaways:
- Google has developed an AI-based global hydrologic technology that can significantly improve flood forecasting, even in regions where reliable flood-related data is scarce.
- The AI technology has helped to provide more accurate information on riverine floods up to 7 days in advance, allowing flood forecasting in 80 countries where 460 million people live.
- Google's research began with a pilot in India's Patna region and has since expanded to over 80 countries, with the help of collaborations with the research and scientific community.
- Google is working in partnership with international aid organizations and the World Meteorological Organization to support early warning systems and aims to continue using its research capabilities to increase coverage and forecast other types of flood-related events.