Earlier this week Google India announced that it will be introducing flood alerts to the range of information that’s available through Google Public Alerts in India.
Using data provided by the Indian Central Water Commission (CWC), Google Public Alerts users can now find flood alerts with river level information for more than 170 areas in which the CWC has active observation stations. These alerts are available on Google web search, Google Now cards in the Google app, Google Maps, and on the Public Alerts homepage, both on computers and phones.
Clicking on the alert will show you information with details about the hazard, including a map and expected timeline, as well as tips on how to stay safe.
In their statement announcing the inclusion of flood alerts, Google said:
“We’re constantly working to improve our Google Crisis Response tools to make critical information more accessible around natural disasters. Through Public Alerts we show relevant official weather, public safety and earthquake alerts to give people the information they need to make informed decisions in times of crisis. For example, cyclone alerts which we introduced in 2015 show information about the cyclone’s projected area of impact, estimated time of arrival, and advice on what to do to stay safe.
“We’re thankful to the Central Water Commission for making their flood alerts available as well as the India Meteorological Department for their cyclone alerts. By making critical and life-saving information more widely available to people around India, we want to help more people prepare for natural disasters, and hopefully protect more lives together”.
In February 2012, Google teamed up with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to offer emergency notifications for earthquakes, severe weather and other public safety matters.
Earthquake data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is incorporated into the system, as well as weather data from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service.
At the time of the launch, USGS Director Marcia McNutt said:
“From having been on the front line of several crises, I know personally that the internet can get populated with misinformation that confuses the public and can interfere with response efforts.
“I am very grateful for this partnership with Google to point people to authoritative sources of critical information when they need it most.”
Google Public Alerts have since teamed up with weather and emergency warning organisations in Australia, Canada, Colombia, Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, The Philippines, Mexico and New Zealand to offer a range of natural disaster warnings, although not all include flood alerts as yet.
