Why in news?
The Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C‑DAC) launched C‑FLOOD—India’s first unified flood inundation forecasting platform—in July 2025. The application aims to provide early warnings and real‑time flood inundation maps to disaster managers.
Features
- Two‑day forecasts: The platform generates flood forecasts up to 48 hours in advance using hydrodynamic models that simulate river flow and floodplain inundation.
- Multi‑basin coverage: Initially covering basins such as the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Godavari and Krishna, the system will expand to all major rivers by 2027.
- High‑resolution maps: Outputs include colour‑coded inundation maps overlaid on satellite images, showing water depths, flow velocities and affected villages.
- Integration with disaster portals: C‑FLOOD links to the National Disaster Management Authority’s portal and the Ganga Flood Control Commission’s dashboard, enabling state‑level authorities to access timely information.
- User‑friendly interface: The mobile and web apps allow district magistrates, engineers and the general public to view forecasts, subscribe to alerts and download data.
Significance
- India is highly vulnerable to floods, with an average of nearly 1,600 deaths annually and massive economic losses. Accurate and timely forecasts enable proactive evacuations and resource deployment.
- The platform supports climate‑adaptive water management by helping planners design resilient infrastructure, manage reservoirs and restore wetlands.
- By integrating multiple data sources—river gauges, rainfall, terrain and satellite imagery—C‑FLOOD provides a unified picture of flood risk, replacing fragmented local systems.