Orientation workshop on flood inundation monitoring service using SAR data

Date 22 Dec 2021 to 22 Dec 2021
Venue Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC), Dhaka, Bangladesh
Contact Persons SERVIR-HKH
Type Workshop
Programmes SERVIR-HKH

About the workshop

In collaboration with the Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre (FFWC)/Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB) in Bangladesh, we are organizing an orientation workshop on our flood inundation monitoring service. The workshop will introduce HydroSAR’s HYDRO30 surface water extent product along with its visualization capabilities to relevant stakeholders in Bangladesh. The workshop will also showcase a step-by-step method for accessing the product via the web-based application and solicit feedback from participants.

Objectives

  • Provide information on the capabilities and limitations of the HYDRO30 surface water extent product and related products
  • Provide hands-on training on the web application
  • Solicit discussion and feedback on the customization of the web application and inclusion of additional features

Expected outcomes

By the end of the workshop, participants will have sufficient understanding of the capabilities of the surface water mapping products included in the service and will be able to use the associated web application.

Background

HydroSAR is a NASA SERVIR Applied Sciences Team (AST) project that develops products, tools, and services to support monitoring hydrological hazards in the HKH region. A cloud-based SAR data analysis service, HydroSAR taps into research expertise from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and ICIMOD. Derived from weather-independent Sentinel-1 SAR data, HydroSAR’s HYDRO30 surface water extent product provides near real-time information on flood water extent and is available within hours as a flood event progresses. This product can be extended throughout the lower plains of the HKH region. Floods are the most significant natural disaster affecting the HKH region because of their frequency, financial costs, and most importantly, the impact on populations and disruption of socio-economic activities. During flood events, remotely sensed geospatial data serves as a critical resource for information on surface inundation. Combined with information on demography and infrastructures, this information can aid line agencies in making informed decisions during their disaster risk reduction response and mitigation efforts.

Resource persons

  1. Mir Matin, Theme Leader – Geospatial Solutions, ICIMOD
  2. Birendra Bajracharya, Chief of Party – SERVIR-HKH, ICIMOD
  3. Kiran Shakya, Geospatial Application Development Specialist, ICIMOD

Tentative agenda

Time Topic Resource person(s)
09:30–10:00 Opening session

Welcome remarks

Workshop overview

Introduction to SERVIR-HKH

Director General, BWDB

Mir Matin, ICIMOD

Birendra Bajracharya, ICIMOD

10:00–11:00 Overview of the HydroSAR surface water extent product including associated workflow, capabilities, and limitations Mir Matin, ICIMOD
11:00–11:15 Break
11:15–12:30 Demonstration of HydroSAR product  and quick guides Mir Matin, ICIMOD
12:30–13:30 Lunch break
13:30–14:00 Demonstration of the web application Kiran Shakya, ICIMOD
14:00–15:00 Hands-on practice on the web application Kiran Shakya, ICIMOD
15:00–15:30 Discussion and closing

About SERVIR

A joint initiative of NASA; USAID; and leading geospatial organizations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, SERVIR partners with countries in these regions to address critical challenges in climate change, food security, water and related disasters, land use, and air quality. Using satellite data and geospatial technology, SERVIR co-develops innovative solutions through a network of regional hubs to improve resilience and sustainable resource management at local, national and regional scales.

SERVIR Hindu Kush Himalaya

ICIMOD implements the SERVIR-HKH Initiative – one of five regional hubs of the SERVIR network – in its regional member countries, prioritizing activities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan.

Demonstration of the flood inundation web application – Sudip Pradhan, ICIMOD
Demonstration of HydroSAR product quick guides – Lori Schultz, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
Overview of the HydroSAR surface water extent product – Franz Meyer, University of Alaska Fairbanks