Cyberinfrastructure for flood mitigation in Taiwan

Abstract

Densely populated Taiwan is situated in a highly seasonal subtropical region dominated by typhoon-generated hydrology. Flood and induced inundation occur frequently in the typhoon season and subsequently cause severe damage to property and loss of human life. There are significant challenges in effective disaster reduction and timely support for the authorities to mitigate floods and inundation. Recent advances in cyberinfrastructure in Taiwan have made it possible to build a synthetic system that is better suited to meet such challenges. This paper describes a human-centred system that has been deployed with a framework utilising cyberinfrastructure. It uses grid technology to integrate collaboratively inter-institutional resources and disciplines for flood mitigation. The human-centred system designed for this flood mitigation study comprises a real-time communication platform among geographically distributed institutions, a flood-monitoring sensor network system to assess current and historical flood situations and associated data collection, and computing and data grids to support flood forecast research. The method of linking information and data generated and delivered by the system to flood mitigation decision support is also explored. The flood mitigation grid has been fully utilised by the Taiwan Water Resources Agency.