Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Paatil, inaugurated the Version 2.0 of the ‘FloodWatch India’ mobile application in New Delhi today. Developed by the Central Water Commission (CWC), this upgraded app aims to improve the dissemination of real-time flood forecasts and related information to the public.
Background of the App
The Central Water Commission initially launched the first version of the ‘FloodWatch India’ mobile application on August 17, 2023. This version was designed to use mobile phones to communicate flood forecasts, providing up to 7 days of advance information on flood situations across the country.
Expansion of Monitoring Stations
In its original release, the app covered flood forecasts at 200 level forecast stations. The new Version 2.0 expands its reach by including an additional 392 flood monitoring stations. This brings the total number of stations to 592, offering users a more comprehensive and detailed view of the flood conditions across India.
Additional Features
The latest version of ‘FloodWatch India’ also includes data on the storage positions of 150 major reservoirs in the country. This feature is intended to help users better understand the potential flood situations in downstream areas.
Technological Advancements
Developed in-house by the Central Water Commission, the app employs advanced technologies such as satellite data analysis, mathematical modeling, and real-time monitoring. These technologies ensure the delivery of accurate and timely flood forecasts.
User Interface and Accessibility
The user-friendly app is available in two languages, English and Hindi, and offers information in both readable and audio broadcast formats. Users can check the flood situation at the station nearest to them directly on the home page.
Availability
The ‘FloodWatch India’ app is accessible to users globally and is available for download on both Android and iOS devices free of charge. It can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
Launch Event
The launch event was attended by several dignitaries, including Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary (Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation), Shri Kushvinder Vohra, Chairman (Central Water Commission), and other senior officials from the Ministry of Jal Shakti and CWC.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- Who launched the Version 2.0 of the ‘FloodWatch India’ mobile application?
- A. Prime Minister of India
- B. Union Minister for Jal Shakti
- C. Chairman of Central Water Commission
- D. Secretary (Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation)
- When was the first version of the ‘FloodWatch India’ mobile application launched?
- A. 1st January 2023
- B. 17th August 2023
- C. 15th August 2023
- D. 17th July 2023
- How many additional flood monitoring stations are included in Version 2.0 of the app?
- A. 100
- B. 200
- C. 392
- D. 500
- What new feature does Version 2.0 provide regarding major reservoirs?
- A. Water quality information
- B. Storage positions
- C. Water usage statistics
- D. Evaporation rates
- Which technologies are used by the ‘FloodWatch India’ app to deliver flood forecasts?
- A. Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- B. Data mining and cloud computing
- C. Satellite data analysis, mathematical modeling, and real-time monitoring
- D. GPS tracking and drone surveillance
- In which formats does the ‘FloodWatch India’ app provide information?
- A. Video and audio
- B. Text and graphics
- C. Readable and audio broadcast
- D. Interactive maps and charts
- Where can users download the ‘FloodWatch India’ app?
- A. Only on Android devices
- B. Only on iOS devices
- C. On both Android and iOS devices
- D. Only from the official CWC website