Google has introduced a new AI-based technology, Groundsource, which creates a huge dataset of flash floods from decades of public data. With the help of Gemini AI and Google Maps, more than 26 lakh flood incidents in more than 150 countries have been analyzed. Based on this data, the new model is now working towards predicting urban flash floods up to 24 hours in advance.

Through this Google app, flood information will be available 24 hours in advance. (file photo)
New Delhi. When natural disasters occur suddenly, information received at the right time can save people’s lives. A major problem faced by scientists for a long time was that there was no reliable historical data related to flash floods in urban areas. For this reason it was becoming difficult to teach the AI model. But now this situation is about to change. Google has introduced a new AI-based technology, Groundsource, which generates detailed historical data of disasters by analyzing public reports. With the help of this new system, urban flash floods can now be predicted more accurately than before.
GroundSource used the Gemini AI model to analyze decades of public reports from around the world. During this process, more than 26 lakh historical flood events that occurred in more than 150 countries were identified.
After this, with the help of Google Maps, the exact geographical extent of each incident was determined, so that it could be understood in which areas flash flood incidents have occurred more. A new AI model was taught based on the large dataset thus prepared. This model is now moving much better towards predicting possible flash floods in urban areas up to 24 hours in advance.
Where will you get flood information?
Google has included these new forecasts in its platform Flood Hub. The platform already warns of major riverine floods around the world. Currently, this system provides advance information about possible river floods to about 2 billion people in more than 150 countries. Now with the addition of urban flash flood forecasting, its capability has increased further. This means that many cities will now have more time to prepare before disaster strikes.
Database will not be limited to Google only
This huge dataset prepared from groundsource will not be limited to Google only. The company has made it available as an open-source benchmark for researchers and scientists. This will prove to be very useful especially for those urban areas, where earlier historical data of flash floods was almost non-existent. With this, scientists will be able to prepare better models and develop new techniques in disaster management.
Will also be used in predicting other disasters
Google says that GroundSource’s AI-based system will not be limited to floods only. In future, it can also be used to prepare data of other natural disasters like landslides, heat waves.
By combining reliable public reports from around the world into a large dataset, scientists will be able to create better forecasting models. The company’s goal is to ensure that people get adequate warning before any natural disaster in the future and losses can be reduced.
About the Author

Malkhan Singh has been in the world of news and content for the last 17 years. In the journey from print media to digital media, names of many renowned institutions have been added to the profile. Working with News18Hindi for almost 4 years…read more
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