GOVT ROLLS OUT FLOOD DETECTION APP

DAILY MONITOR

The government has rolled out a digital flood detection application to strengthen early warning systems as flash floods increasingly threaten urban centres.

The platform, developed by the Ministry of Water and Environment with support from international partners, allows users to visualise rainfall forecasts, identify flood-prone areas and track potential water accumulation zones in real time.

The development comes amid growing concern among climate experts over the rising frequency and intensity of flash floods, driven by climate change and rapid urbanisation.

Mr Jerom Aerta, a water and climate consultant from the Netherlands, said the system marks a shift from reactive disaster response to proactive risk management.

“We aim at equipping urban authorities with modern tools to improve forecasting and response to flash floods, which have increasingly led to loss of life and destruction of property in fast-growing cities,” he said.

Mr Aerta added that at the heart of the application is the use of satellite technology, including rainfall estimates from Meteosat Third Generation satellites, which enable near real-time monitoring of weather patterns.

“The system also incorporates nowcasting, the ability to predict weather conditions in the immediate hours ahead, combined with Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models to improve the speed and accuracy of forecasts.

He added that by combining satellite-based nowcasting with Numerical Weather Prediction models, they are able to generate faster and more reliable forecasts, allowing authorities to act before floods strike.

“The platform further integrates data from Automatic Weather Stations and radar systems, while using the SFINCS flood model to simulate how water will move and accumulate across urban landscapes”, he said

Dr Bob Alex Ogwang, Commissioner for Meteorology, said accurate flood prediction goes beyond rainfall data alone.

“Rainfall alone does not determine flooding; it is how water interacts with land, drainage systems and infrastructure. That is what we are working on to ensure experts can predict heavy rains early enough,” he said.

He added that through the application, users can access information on expected rainfall intensity, areas likely to flood and safer zones, enabling both authorities and communities to take precautionary action.

Mr Abubaker Kalema, a principal meteorologist at the Ministry of Water and Environment, said the system is designed to provide timely alerts to the public.

“We want to blend weather forecasts with flooding models so that we can inform our people promptly whenever flooding is likely to happen within Kampala,” he said.

He added that the system is currently being piloted in Kampala and will later be scaled up to other flood-prone cities such as Fort Portal, Kasese, Gulu and Mbale.

“The application is accessible via an internet browser and requires minimal data, making it usable for a wide range of users”, he said.

Mr Charles Kakooza, a senior official at the ministry, said the platform will help communities prepare ahead of disasters.

“The system shows how much rain is expected, where floods are likely to be severe, and even indicates safer places. This helps authorities and residents prepare in advance,” he said.

However, he acknowledged existing gaps, including limited monitoring infrastructure and inadequate equipment, which could affect the system’s effectiveness if not addressed.

Despite the challenges, Mr Kakooza said that the introduction of the flood detection application is a critical step towards improving disaster preparedness and reducing the impact of floods in Uganda’s growing cities.

“Strengthening early warning systems will be critical to protecting lives, infrastructure and livelihoods as climate change intensifies,” he said.

The platform was developed by the Ministry of Water and Environment with support from the World Meteorological Organisation of the Netherlands, together with Specialists from Uganda, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Sudan and South Africa.