The occurrence of floods in Europe is difficult to prevent. However, timely forecasts can save human lives and property. DHI Water & Environment in Hørsholm, Denmark, an international supplier of flood forecasting systems, is working at full steam installing flood forecasting systems in England, Italy, Poland, the Czech Republic, Belgium and Spain.
The forecasting systems consist of large data collection systems in the areas affected and DHI software for the calculation of water flows in the rivers and floodplains. The water flows are calculated by means of mathematical computer models, which on the basis of the physical characteristics of the rivers and current water level, discharge and rainfall data can predict the flooding with great accuracy up to several days ahead. This is a tool, on which the authorities of the countries affected are very dependent and which can save human lives and property.
Flooding of the River Po at Murazzi in Turin.
DHI is the leading supplier of flood forecasting systems world-wide. A market position obtained through strategic research and development efforts and an internationally oriented consultancy business.
One of the world's most advanced forecasting systems is currently being developed for the Environment Agency in East Anglia, England and will cover an area corresponding to approx. 20% of England and Wales. Within this system weather information, incl. radar data, will be integrated with DHI's numerical model MIKE 11, and the entire system will be operated by using advanced Internet technology. DHI won the job in international competition and the job is carried out in collaboration with the U.K. based consultancy company WS Atkins.
In Turin, Italy DHI's flood forecasting system was installed with the local authorities (Region Piedmonte) barely two weeks prior to the serious floods which hit the north of Italy in October 2000. The system provided valuable water level forecasts of the River Po several days ahead during the flooding. This made it possible for the authorities to plan effectively the evacuation of those threatened by flooding.
In Poland, which was severely hit by floods in 1997 when the River Odra overflowed, DHI has installed a fully automatic flood forecasting system with the Meteorological Institute in Wroclaw. This system automatically provides updated forecasts once every 30 minutes.
An accurate model of the River Morava in the Czech Republic has been used in the planning of different initiatives to reduce the damages of future floods, as compared to the severe floods in 1997 caused by the extreme rainfall which hit Poland. In parallel, a forecasting model is being established for the small Dedina catchment together with a weather radar providing a more accurate prognosis of local rainfall in the area.
In Belgium and Spain, DHI is currently in the process of establishing flood forecasting systems for some of the largest rivers.
For further information please contact:
Jacob Høst-Madsen
Head, Flood Management Department
DHI Water & Environment
Agern Allé 5
DK-2970 Hørsholm
Denmark
Tel.: +45 4516 9200
Fax: +45 4516 9292
E-mail: jhm@dhi.dk