Google and Central Water Commission are launching Flood forecasting Initiative

It has sent numerous public alerts to people in impacted regions across the country

• Google in association with the Central Water Commission (CWC) has taken
  flood forecasting initiative over the past several months
• The initiative has sent numerous public alerts to people in impacted regions
  across the country
• These alerts provide timely, updated and critical information that can help
  users make informed decisions on their safety

Technical highlights of the initiative

• These alerts provide timely, updated, and critical information that can help
  users make informed decisions on their safety, and that of their families and
  friends
• Any user in the affected region having an Android smartphone with location
  services enabled will receive these alerts
• Currently these notifications are issued in English, Hindi, and Bengali,
  depending on the device language and location of users
• Users can also use Search to enter a query on a flood-affected area to see key
  information on the current situation in that region
• If there is a current flooding situation in the area, the user will see a visual
  overview of key information, including the rise or fall in the water level in the
  next day with a description of the recent situation containing specific guidance
• A color-coded map indicating the flooded areas is also shown and clicking on
  this map opens a larger, more detailed view in Google Maps where users can
  zoom in to get a better understanding of water levels in specific regions

Background for the initiative

• This monsoon has brought long flood situation in many states such as UP,
  Bihar, and Assam
• The water level has risen in regions near water bodies putting hundreds of
  thousands of people at risk
• The initiative is being brought in at right situation
• The flood alerts in India are issued by the Central Water Commission
• Google is already sending public alerts to people affected by floods in the
  country
• With the new initiative, people can now use Google Search to enter a query and
  seek key information about the current situation of water level in the flood
  affected area
• In order to avail the initiative, the user has to search for “flooding” followed by
  the name of the affected region on Google maps

What is “Central Water Commission”?

• Central Water Commission is a premier Technical Organization of India in the
  field of Water Resources and is presently functioning as an attached office of
  the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development
  and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India
• The Commission is entrusted with the general responsibilities of initiating,
  coordinating and furthering in consultation of the State Governments
  concerned, schemes for control, conservation and utilization of water resources
  throughout the country, for purpose of Flood Control, Irrigation, Navigation,
  Drinking Water Supply and Water Power Development
• It also undertakes the investigations, construction and execution of any such
  schemes as required
• Central Water Commission CWC is headed by a Chairman, with the status of
  Ex-Officio Secretary to the Government of India
• The work of the Commission is divided among 3 wings namely, Designs and
  Research (D&R) Wing, River Management (RM) Wing and Water Planning and
  Projects (WP&P) Wing
• Each wing is placed under the charge of a full-time Member with the status of
  Ex-Officio Additional Secretary to the Government of India and comprising of
  number of Organizations responsible for the disposal of tasks and duties falling
  within their assigned scope of functions

Pic courtesy : currentaffairs.gktoday.in