Objectives

Floods are without doubt the most devastating natural disasters, striking numerous regions in the world each year. During the last decades the trend in flood damages has been growing exponentially. This is a consequence of the increasing frequency of heavy rain, changes in upstream land-use and a continuously increasing concentration of population and assets in flood prone areas. In general, less developed countries are the most vulnerable to floods, causing damages that significantly affect the national GDP. At country and community levels important initiatives have and are being devoted to implement appropriate countermeasures, both structural and non-structural, aiming to alleviate the persistent threats of water-related disasters. Flood Forecasting forms an important tool in reducing vulnerabilities and flood risk and form an important ingredient of the strategy to "live with floods", thereby contributing to national sustainable development.

The Flood Forecasting Division (FFD) is serving the nation to improve the capacity of meteorological and hydrological services to jointly deliver timely and more accurate products and services required in flood forecasting and warning and in collaborating with disaster managers, active in flood emergency preparedness and response.

Expected Results

Improved quantitative and qualitative weather forecasting products are available in such a way that these can be directly used for flood forecasting;.

• Medium-range weather forecasting and climate prediction tools can be applied to extend warning times and produce pre-warning information;

• NMHSs have improved their capacity to cooperate to jointly deliver timely and accurate flood forecasting information;

• Integrated weather, climate and hydrological forecasting information are available in a relevant format for use by civil organizations responsible for disaster preparedness and mitigation.