The recent devastating floods in Bengaluru have brought attention to the recurring issue of urban floods in India. Despite being equipped with modern smart infrastructure, cities like Chennai and Mumbai have also experienced severe flooding in recent years. As these cities grapple with the aftermath of heavy downpours, the question arises: Can technology offer a way out of this recurring problem?
The concept of ‘Digital Twins’, virtual replicas of physical assets, is emerging as a potential solution for enhancing urban flood resilience. By integrating real-time data from sensors, digital twins bridge the gap between the physical and virtual worlds, enabling prompt and efficient responses to flood events.
Digital twins have gained traction in flood-prone nations as a means of mitigating the impact of torrential rains and natural disasters. Various cities worldwide have embraced digital twins to simulate flood hazards, assess vulnerabilities, and minimise casualties and economic losses.. By integrating emerging technologies like sensors, the Internet of Things, and infrastructure modelling, they aimed to simulate flood hazards and reduce the impact on the city.
The city government of Lisbon recently turned to digital twins to enhance urban flood simulation and build resilience against extreme rainfall events and rising sea levels. By utilising cutting-edge technology, the city aimed to optimise its drainage infrastructure and take proactive measures during emergencies. Porto, Portugal, has also adopted digital twin technology to support its entire water cycle system, from water distribution to stormwater drainage management.
Digital twins present a promising approach to tackle urban floods and enhance disaster resilience. However, their implementation requires a collaborative effort involving various technologies and data sources. By harnessing sensors, satellites, infrastructure modelling, and real-time system behaviour, cities can develop comprehensive flood resilience models. As technology continues to advance, digital twins have the potential to revolutionise flood preparedness, helping cities build resilience and protect lives and infrastructure.
