The Water Resources department has sanctioned ₹1 crore for installing real-time data acquisition system for the flood early warning programme in eight districts.

The programme was launched in the wake of the destructive floods of 2018 and 2019, Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine said on Friday.

Eleven locations including rivers had been identified in eight districts for installing real-time data collection systems based on vulnerability to flooding. The locations are Teekoy in Kottayam, Panamaram and Thonikadavu in Wayanad, Kalleli and Pandalam in Pathanamthitta, Punalur and Thenmala dam in Kollam, Ramapuram in Kannur, Chittari in Kasaragod, Tirur in Malappuram, and Kallayi in Kozhikode.

The Water Resources department is collaborating with the Kerala State Electricity Board for the developing the system. They will provide real-time data on water levels, rain measurements and other weather components, allowing government agencies to assess the possibility of floods in various rivers, Mr. Augustine said.

The data will be shared with the District Disaster Managment Authorities, and through them with the public. Flood warning systems would enable government agencies to plan precautionary measures and evacuations well in advance in addition to strengthening infrastructure.