Context: Recently, an international team of researchers has developed a powerful tool for a near real-time mapping of flood extent by Using openly accessible satellite data and a cloud computing platform.
Key Points

• Space-based sensors known as synthetic aperture radar (SAR) have been used widely for monitoring and mapping of flood-water inundation.
• SAR is capable of acquiring data in all-weather condition, making it useful for mapping and monitoring flood inundation areas.
• These sensors operate on the constellation of two SAR satellites belonging to the Copernicus Programme launched by the European Space Agency.
• The data from the satellites was utilised on a cloud-based platform for the rapid processing of big data. The platform has publicly made available numerous satellite image collections and has functions for image processing and analysis.

Significance

• Once the data is available, machine learning and computer vision techniques is applied to quickly generate the water inundation maps.
• This can help swiftly deploying the rescue team and rescue operations can be started immediately.
• Maps showing where flooding may occur or flood inundation maps can help in better flood risk preparedness.

About Flood Inundation Mapping (FIM)

• This program helps communities protect lives and property by providing tools and information to help them understand their local flood risks and make cost-effective mitigation decisions.

Inundation maps can be used for:

• Preparedness - "What-if" scenarios
• Timely Response - tied to real-time gage and forecast information
• Recovery - damage assessment
• Mitigation and Planning - flood risk analyses
• Environmental and Ecological Assessments - wetlands identification, hazardous spill cleanup

About Cloud Computing

• Cloud computing has become ubiquitous in India in recent years. The technology encompassed mundane activities of individuals like social networking, mail, online purchases as well as large scale operations of multinational companies including big data, Internet of Things (IoT), etc.
• It is defined as a model for enabling ubiquitous convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources.