Open AccessImproving flood forecasting in international river basins
Author(s) -
Hossain Faisal,
Katiyar Nitin
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1029/2006eo050001
Subject(s) - flood forecasting , flooding (psychology) , flood myth , meteorology , environmental science , structural basin , climatology , environmental resource management , geography , geology , psychology , paleontology , archaeology , psychotherapist
In flood‐prone international river basins (IRBs), many riparian nations that are located close to a basin's outlet face a major problem in effectively forecasting flooding because they are unable to assimilate in situ rainfall data in real time across geopolitical boundaries. NASA's propose Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission, which is expected to begin in 2010, will comprise high‐resolution passive microwave (PM) sensors (at resolution ∼3‐6 hours, 10 x 10 square kilometers) that may provide new opportunities to improve flood forecasting in these river basins. Research is now needed to realize the potential of GPM. With adequate research in the coming years, it may be possible to identify the specific IRBs that would benefit cost‐effectively from a preprogrammed satellite‐based forecasting system in anticipation of GPM. Acceleration of such a research initiative is worthwhile because it could reduce the risk of the cancellation of GPM [see Zielinski, 2005].