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Flood Management in Brazil wi...
Flood Management in Brazil with WorldDEM™ Neo DTM
Thanks to our WorldDEM Neo Digital Terrain Model (DTM), GSB used in conjunction WorldDEM Neo with SAR data to visualize the damages caused by one of the largest floods ever experienced in Brazil.
29 march 2024
09 May 2024
Before-and-after images of the Rio Grande region. Data captured by TerraSAR-X © DLR e.V. 2024, Distribution Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
Historic heavy rains triggered massive flooding throughout the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do, and the adjacent Uruguayan cities of Treinta y Tres, Paysandú, Cerro Largo, and Salto.
From 29 April through to May, one of the largest flood events ever was recorded in the country in over 80 years.
Lingering cloud cover limited the ability to accurately delineate the extent of flood water with optical satellite imagery, thereby compromising effectiveness of the alert system.
In particular, emergency managers needed to know if flood waters would reach a major airport being used as a primary staging point for food, medicine, water, and other relief supplies.
WorldDEM Neo – Rio Grande Region, Brazil © DLR e.V. (2018/2019), and © Airbus Defence and Space GmbH (2023)
Brazilian Geological Survey (BGS) has developed an automated Hydrological Alert System using satellite imagery, machine learning, and AI to forecast water levels during floods in 17 river basins.
The WorldDEM Neo global Digital Elevation Model (DEM) served as a highly accurate reference layer upon which other geospatial data sets were overlaid to visualize man-made and natural terrain in three dimensions.
BGS obtained near real-time synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite data of the flooded area and combined it with the WorldDEM Neo Digital Terrain Model (DTM) to gain an understanding of where inundation had occurred and to model where flood waters were going.
Analysts relied on the accuracy of the high-resolution elevation data to map the terrain and filter out errors in inundation extents interpreted from the SAR imagery.
The DTM enabled BGS analysts to quickly pinpoint the terrain elevation in strategic locations, such as the airport, to determine if they were safe from rising waters and could be used and accessed for disaster relief efforts.
BGS quickly delivered accurate flood delineation maps to civil defense and emergency rescue agency as the event was still unfolding.
5m pixel spacing for every spot on the ground ensures consistent 3D points for hydrologic modeling, topographic mapping, and high-quality orthorectification.
Ordered for any AOI and downloaded in minutes from the OneAtlas platform.
Unrivaled geolocation of 2m relative and 1.4m absolute accuracy.
Available as either hydrologically consistent Digital Surface Models or bare Earth Digital Terrain Models.
The Serviço Geológico do Brasil is a state owned company, under the auspices of the Ministry of Mines and Energy, that carries out the functions of the Geological Survey of Brazil.
Their mission is to produce and divulge geoscientific knowledge with excellence, contributing to the improvement of life quality and sustainable development of Brazil. And be a reference in the generation of knowledge and in the development of effective solutions in Geosciences for the well being of Brazilian society.
Artur Matos
Hydrological alert system Coordinator Serviço Geológico do Brasil
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