Google expands AI-based flood forecasting coverage to 100 countries, improves forecasting models

Google recently announced the expansion of its flood forecasting system which is based on artificial intelligence (AI). The search giant will now cover 100 countries and provide river flood forecasts to a global population of 700 million people. The company is also providing its datasets to researchers and partners to better understand its system and benefit from the prediction system. Additionally, Google has also developed a new application programming interface (API) to access the data in an intuitive manner.

Google improves forecasting model, expands rollout

In a blog post, the tech giant detailed expansion plans for the flood forecasting system. The model now covers 100 countries and a population of 700 million people, up from the previous 80 countries and a population of 400 million people.

The company says this expansion was made possible due to its research advancements, which allowed it to access more labeled data to train an AI model, a new forecasting model that uses input from its frontier forecasting system, as well as Serves as a new model architecture.

Additionally, Google also announced its decision to make its flood forecasting model forecasts available to researchers and partners. This will be done in two ways – using its existing datasets from Google Runoff Reanalysis and Reforecast (GRRR) and through a new API that is currently under development.

With the API, users can access the company’s hydrology forecasts and expected flood conditions for urban areas as well as in areas where local data is limited. Google’s partners and researchers can now sign up to express interest in the AI-based model and join its waiting list.

The Flood Hub in the forecasting system now has an additional data layer that includes 250,000 forecast points using a “virtual gauge”. Virtual Gauge is Google’s simulation-based prediction system that uses various geological and atmospheric factors to measure the likelihood of river flooding. While the company can use the system to provide discharge predictions around the world, it will only show areas where data can be verified using historical data from reliable sensors.

Furthermore, the company claimed that compared to the previous system which could give forecast for the next five days, the new system can now show flood forecast for the next seven days with accuracy. Google believes its AI-based forecasting system can be used by public officials in affected areas to develop crisis response plans and better manage people’s lives and infrastructure.