Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Jal Shakti is integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) for improved flood forecasting and damage prediction across India, under the Central Water Commission (CWC). This initiative, led by the Smart Water Resources Modelling Organisation (SWRMOCoE), focuses on developing short-range flood forecasting models and issuing timely alerts through various channels. Budgetary provisions are allocated under the Development of Water Resources Information System Scheme.
Key Points / Main Content:
AI Integration for Flood Management:
* The SWRMOCoE, established under CWC in September 2024, is developing AI/ML-based short-range flood forecasting models.
* The goal is to identify and predict potentially affected areas in advance to minimize loss of life and protect livelihoods.
Budgetary Provisions:
* Budget for AI model development and computational resources is provided under the Development of Water Resources Information System Scheme.
Flood Forecasting and Alert Systems:
* CWC issues short-range flood forecasts (up to 24 hrs lead time) to State Governments at 350 stations (150 Inflow Forecast Stations, 200 Level Forecast Stations).
* CWC also issues inflow forecasts to identified reservoirs for proper reservoir regulation.
* Basin-wise flood forecasting model provides 7-day advance flood forecast advisory via https:aff.indiawater.gov.in.
* Flood forecasts are disseminated through https:ffs.indiawater.gov.in, Common Alert Protocol (CAP) to State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs), and social media platforms like Facebook, X, and the Flood Watch India Mobile App.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments and Project Authorities:
* Impact: Receive short-range flood forecasts for identified locations and inflow forecasts for reservoir regulation.
* Action Required: Utilize flood forecasts for planning evacuation and remedial measures; coordinate with CWC on the established forecasting network.
Residents of Potentially Affected Areas:
* Impact: Receive timely alerts through early warning systems and various dissemination platforms.
* Action Required: Stay informed through available channels (website, social media, mobile app) and heed alerts issued by authorities.
State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs):
* Impact: Receive flood forecasting services integrated with the Common Alert Protocol (CAP).
* Action Required: Utilize the information received through CAP for disaster management and response activities.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The Indian government ministry responsible for water resources.
Central Water Commission: An organization under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, responsible for flood forecasting and water resource management.
Smart Water Resources Modelling Organisation: Centre of Excellence for Smart Water Resources Management, established under Central Water Commission.
Development of Water Resources Information System Scheme: A scheme of Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.
State Governments: The governments of the various states of India, which receive flood forecasts from the CWC.
State Disaster Management Authority: The state-level agency responsible for disaster management and receiving alerts through the Common Alert Protocol (CAP).
Ganga Rejuvenation: Part of the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, indicating a focus on the rejuvenation of the Ganga river.
Flood Watch India Mobile App: A mobile application used for disseminating flood-related information to the public.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 875
ANSWERED ON 24.07.2025
AI FOR FLOOD FORECASTING AND DAMAGE PREDICTION
875. SHRI DAGGUMALLA PRASADA RAO
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has any plans to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) in flood forecasting and
damage prediction across the country under the Central Water Commission;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government proposes to develop AI-based systems capable of identifying and predicting
potentially affected areas in advance to minimize loss of life and protect livelihoods;
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(e) whether the Government has allocated specific budgetary provisions for the development of AI models
and for the procurement or deployment of supercomputers for the said purpose;
(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(g) whether any mechanism has been established to provide timely alerts to residents of possibly affected
areas through early warning systems; and
(h) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) to (d) One of the key initiatives undertaken by Smart Water Resources Modelling Organisation, as the
Centre of Excellence (SWRMO-CoE) for Smart Water Resources Management, established under Central
Water Commission (CWC) during September 2024, is the in-house development of Artificial Intelligence
(AI)/ Machine Learning (ML) based short-range flood forecasting models for Level Flood Forecasting
Stations (Time Series Forecasting) of CWC across the country.
(e) & (f) The budgetary provisions for the development of AI models and for the use of computational
resources by SWRMO-CoE has been kept under the Development of Water Resources Information System
Scheme of Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.
(g) & (h) CWC issues short-range flood forecasts with a lead time up to 24 hrs to concerned State
Governments at identified locations. CWC also issues inflow forecasts to identified reservoirs for proper
1reservoir regulation. Presently, flood forecasts are issued by CWC at 350 stations (150 Inflow Forecast
Stations + 200 Level Forecast Stations) as per Standard Operating Procedure. The network has been
established in consultation with State Govt./ Project Authorities. These forecasts are disseminated through a
dedicated website, namely, https://ffs.india-water.gov.in.
In order to provide more lead time to the local authorities to plan evacuation of people & take other
remedial measures, CWC has developed basin wise flood forecasting model based on rainfall-runoff
mathematical modelling for 7 days advance flood forecast advisory for all the forecasting stations. Its
dissemination is through the dedicated website, namely, https://aff.india-water.gov.in. CWC flood
forecasting services are also integrated with integrated alert dissemination platform Common Alert Protocol
(CAP) issued to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) of the respective States/ UTs. The flood
information is also loaded in various social media platforms viz., Facebook, X, Flood Watch India Mobile
App, etc.
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