The Real Time Governance Society (RTGS) of the Andhra Pradesh government, in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) and IIT Gandhinagar, has developed an AI-powered urban flood forecasting platform capable of delivering 48-hour rainfall outlooks and six-hour flash flood warnings. The system, called City Flood Alert, is being operationalised first in Vijayawada — a city with a long history of severe inundation — before a planned rollout across all Urban Local Bodies in the state.

What the System Does

The City Flood Alert platform integrates artificial intelligence, satellite-based terrain mapping, predictive analytics, and hydrological modelling to generate highly accurate, location-specific flood forecasts. At its core is a high-resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) built from satellite imagery, with Vijayawada mapped ward by ward to capture terrain elevations, drainage networks, and flood-prone zones.

The predictive model draws on nearly three decades of historical flood data from the Budameru stream — the primary source of recurring inundation in the city — enabling it to simulate flood behaviour across varying rainfall scenarios with what officials describe as 'remarkable precision.' The platform also identifies drainage channels where silt accumulation could trigger waterlogging and backflow, allowing preventive maintenance ahead of heavy rain.

How Warnings Reach the Ground

Once a potential flood threat is detected, the platform automatically generates alerts and shares actionable intelligence with APSDMA, which then issues timely advisories to Municipal Commissioners, District Collectors, ward-level municipal officials, and field agencies. This automated chain enables authorities to clear drainage channels, deploy emergency response teams, and evacuate residents from vulnerable locations — all before flooding begins.

The system's five core functions include: rainfall forecasts up to 48 hours in advance; flash flood predictions up to six hours before occurrence; ward-level flood hotspot identification; automated early warning alerts to government officials; and real-time decision support for emergency response teams.

Why Vijayawada Was Chosen First

Vijayawada, one of Andhra Pradesh's fastest-growing cities, has historically battled recurring floods — particularly from the Budameru stream, which frequently inundates low-lying wards during the monsoon season. The city's vulnerability, combined with its dense urban footprint, made it the natural starting point for the platform's deployment. This comes amid a broader national push to shift disaster management from reactive crisis response to predictive, technology-driven governance.

Statewide Expansion Plan

The initiative, launched under the vision of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, is designed to scale across all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in Andhra Pradesh. Each city and town will undergo digital terrain mapping and flood-risk assessment, creating a statewide network of intelligent urban flood monitoring systems capable of providing location-specific forecasts. The government has described the project as a significant step towards building climate-resilient cities, according to an official release dated 26 July.