ABOUT THE PROJECT
PREVENIR is an international cooperation project between Argentina and Japan, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) under the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) program.
GOAL
The main goal of PREVENIR is to develop an impact-based early warning system for urban floods designed for two highly vulnerable urban basins: one located in Buenos Aires Province, and the other in Córdoba Province. The project proposes the collaboration between Japanese institutions which are world leaders in the development and operation of early warning systems (RIKEN Center for Computational Science, the University of Osaka, the International Center for Water Hazards and the Japan Meteorological Agency), and Argentinean institutions (the National Meteorological Service, the National Water Institute and the National Research Council of Argentina). This system will be the first of its kind in Argentina and will provide useful tools and recommendations for the implementation of similar systems in other parts of the world.
PROJECT LOCATION
From the beginning, PREVENIR will be developed for two pilot basins encompassing several districts within two of the most populated cities in Argentina: the flat basin of the Sarandí and Santo Domingo streams in the south of the Buenos Aires City and the Suquía river basin in the Córdoba Province which flows from the foothills of Sierras de Córdoba and through the City of Córdoba.
MAIN OBJECTIVES
To expand current hydro-meteorological monitoring capacities at the targeted basins.
To develop cutting-edge hydro-meteorological forecasting systems with particular focus on urban flash-floods.
To develop a web-platform for efficient integration and visualization of data, forecasts and warnings that can be used by expert forecasters, decision makers and emergency managers.
To develop a cell phone app for efficient communication of the impact-based forecasts to the community, in particular to individuals, decision makers and emergency managers.
To increase population awareness and knowledge about urban flash-floods and proper actions to be taken in case of an emergency.
To foster collaboration among research and operational institutions in Japan and Argentina for the development and operation of the flash-flood early warning system.
VISION
PREVENIR is inspired by the idea of sustainable development considering both social and environmental aspects. PREVENIR aims to combine cutting-edge scientific and technological developments in Japan and in Argentina with local knowledge to reduce the risk associated with urban floods attending to specific social and environmental contexts.
Our aim is to involve different actors in the designing of these risk reduction solutions, research institutions in Japan and Argentina, operational institutions, local governments, and representatives from the local communities to ensure that the information will be useful and can be easily understood and used by the community.
In PREVENIR we strongly believe in sustainable development through capacity building at different specialization levels for the continuous improvement and expansion of the developed systems. We also strongly believe in increasing community awareness regarding flash-flood risks in order to promote preparedness for the emergencies and more effective decision making.
MAIN ACTIONS AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The project will tackle the challenge of providing early-warnings for urban flash-floods from different complementary perspectives.
Better observing networks and more observation integration: obtaining quality and reliable data in real time is essential for accurate forecasts. The project will expand current observation capabilities within the two basins and work for an efficient integration of different observing sources including remote sensing data provided by weather radars and satellites.
Better quantitative precipitation estimation: monitoring precipitation in real time and at the highest possible temporal frequency and spatial resolution is essential to anticipate floods associated with heavy rain events. In this project new precipitation estimation algorithms will be developed and evaluated. The developed algorithm will integrate remote sensing data using the power of machine learning. These algorithms will then be operational implemented for the real-time monitoring of precipitation within the target basins.
Accurate short time hydro-meteorological forecasts: short lead time forecasts of key variables such as precipitation rate and stream water flow are of paramount importance for flash-floods forecast. In this project cutting-edge techniques in data extrapolation (nowcasting) as well as high-resolution numerical weather and hydrological prediction and data assimilation will be used to design a short-range hydro-meteorological forecasting system. The system will integrate information from different sources including remote sensors such as weather radar and satellites.
Efficient forecast and warning communication: communicating forecast and warnings in a clear way is essential for efficient decision making and effective prevention actions. In this project forecast and warning dissemination tools such as a web-portal and a cell-phone app will be co-designed with emergency managers and risk offices to ensure an effective use of the real-time information provided by the forecasting system.
Citizen awareness: being aware of existing risks and possible mitigation actions is essential to reduce the impact of flash-floods. This project will promote activities with different education levels and social organizations to raise society awareness with particular focus on most vulnerable communities which are highly exposed to flood risks.
Capacity building: training the next generation of researchers, technicians and forecasters is fundamental for the sustainability and future expansion of flash-flood early warning systems. This project will promote capacity building at different educational levels and expert exchange between Japan and Argentina.