New Delhi : On July 2, 2025, Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil inaugurated C-FLOOD, a groundbreaking Unified Inundation Forecasting System, at Shram Shakti Bhawan in New Delhi. This innovative web-based platform, designed to provide village-level flood alerts up to two days in advance, marks a transformative step in India’s flood management and disaster response framework. Developed collaboratively by the Central Water Commission (CWC), the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Pune, and the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), C-FLOOD leverages cutting-edge technology under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).
The Flood Challenge in India
India faces significant flood-related challenges, with approximately 40 million hectares—about 12% of the country’s total geographical area of 329 million hectares—being prone to flooding. These recurrent floods cause widespread damage to lives, property, and infrastructure, necessitating advanced tools for early warning and disaster preparedness. C-FLOOD addresses this critical need by providing a unified platform that integrates flood modeling outputs from national and regional agencies, offering a comprehensive decision-support tool for disaster management authorities.
What is C-FLOOD?
C-FLOOD, or the Unified Inundation Forecasting System, is a state-of-the-art web-based platform designed to deliver precise flood inundation forecasts up to two days in advance, down to the village level. The system generates high-resolution flood inundation maps and water level predictions, enabling disaster management authorities to plan and execute timely mitigation measures. By synthesizing data from multiple sources, C-FLOOD serves as a centralized hub for flood forecasting, enhancing coordination and response efficiency.
Key Features of C-FLOOD
- Two-Day Advance Forecasts: Provides flood inundation predictions up to 48 hours in advance, giving communities and authorities ample time to prepare.
- Village-Level Precision: Offers granular, village-level flood alerts, ensuring localized and actionable information.
- High-Resolution Inundation Maps: Utilizes advanced 2-D hydrodynamic modeling to simulate flood scenarios and generate detailed maps.
- Water Level Predictions: Delivers accurate forecasts of river water levels, aiding in early warning and evacuation planning.
- Unified Data Integration: Combines flood modeling outputs from national and regional agencies into a single platform for seamless decision-making.
Collaborative Development Under the National Supercomputing Mission
C-FLOOD was jointly developed by key institutions under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), launched in 2015 to bolster India’s supercomputing capabilities. The mission is steered by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The collaborative effort involved:
- Central Water Commission (CWC): As the nodal organization for flood forecasting and early warnings in India, CWC played a pivotal role in designing the system’s forecasting framework.
- Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Pune: C-DAC provided high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure to run complex 2-D hydrodynamic simulations, particularly for the Mahanadi basin.
- National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC): NRSC contributed flood modeling outputs for the Godavari and Tapi basins under the National Hydrology Project (NHP).
- Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR): Under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, this department provided strategic oversight and coordination.
The launch event at Shram Shakti Bhawan saw the participation of high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, MeitY, and DST, underscoring the collaborative spirit of this initiative.
Technical Backbone: Advanced 2-D Hydrodynamic Modeling
C-FLOOD’s forecasting capabilities rely on advanced 2-D hydrodynamic modeling, a sophisticated technique that simulates flood scenarios by analyzing water flow, terrain, and river basin dynamics. The system is powered by high-performance computing infrastructure at C-DAC Pune, which runs simulations for the Mahanadi basin. For the Godavari and Tapi basins, C-FLOOD integrates modeling outputs developed by NRSC under the National Hydrology Project. This integration ensures a comprehensive and cohesive forecasting system that combines the strengths of multiple agencies.
The use of high-performance computing (HPC) under the NSM allows C-FLOOD to process vast amounts of data quickly, delivering real-time flood maps and water level predictions. This technological prowess enables the platform to handle the complex computations required for accurate flood forecasting, making it a critical tool for disaster management.
Current Coverage: Mahanadi, Godavari, and Tapi River Basins
At present, C-FLOOD provides flood forecasting services for three major river basins in India:
- Mahanadi River Basin: Simulations are run on C-DAC’s HPC infrastructure, leveraging 2-D hydrodynamic modeling to generate detailed inundation forecasts.
- Godavari River Basin: Flood modeling outputs are provided by NRSC under the National Hydrology Project, integrated into the C-FLOOD platform.
- Tapi River Basin: Similar to the Godavari basin, NRSC’s models support forecasting for this region.
These basins, which are among India’s most flood-prone areas, serve as the initial focus of C-FLOOD’s operations. The system’s ability to provide village-level alerts in these regions is a significant step toward localized disaster preparedness.
Future Expansion: Nationwide Coverage
While C-FLOOD currently covers the Mahanadi, Godavari, and Tapi river basins, plans are underway to expand its reach to all major river basins across India. During the launch, Minister C.R. Patil directed the CWC and allied agencies to prepare a comprehensive plan for inundation studies covering the entire country. This ambitious expansion aims to create a nationwide flood forecasting network, ensuring that no flood-prone region is left without access to advanced early warning systems.
Integration with National Disaster Management Systems
A key directive from the Minister was to integrate C-FLOOD’s forecasts with the National Disaster Management Emergency Response Portal (NDEM). This integration will enable seamless dissemination of flood alerts to disaster management authorities, ensuring rapid response and coordination during flood events. To enhance forecast accuracy, Patil emphasized the importance of satellite validation and on-ground verification (ground-truthing). These measures will ensure that C-FLOOD’s predictions are reliable and actionable, further strengthening India’s disaster response framework.
Public Awareness and Preparedness
Recognizing the importance of public engagement, Minister Patil instructed the CWC and concerned agencies to widely popularize the C-FLOOD portal. By raising awareness about the platform’s capabilities, the government aims to empower communities, local authorities, and disaster management organizations to leverage C-FLOOD’s forecasts for proactive preparedness. The Minister’s call for enhanced public outreach underscores the government’s commitment to building a resilient and informed society.
A Transformative Step in Flood Management
During the launch, Minister Patil described C-FLOOD as a “state-of-the-art platform” and a “transformative step in India’s flood management journey.” The system’s ability to provide pre-inundation warnings up to two days in advance at the village level is a game-changer for disaster preparedness. By offering high-resolution flood inundation maps and water level predictions, C-FLOOD equips disaster management organizations with critical tools for early warning and mitigation planning.
The platform’s development aligns with the government’s broader focus on disaster resilience and climate adaptation. As India faces increasing climate-related challenges, including erratic monsoons and extreme weather events, C-FLOOD represents a proactive approach to leveraging technology for disaster risk reduction.
The Role of the National Supercomputing Mission
The National Supercomputing Mission, under which C-FLOOD was developed, is a flagship initiative aimed at positioning India as a leader in supercomputing. Launched in 2015, the NSM is jointly steered by MeitY and DST, with a focus on developing advanced computing infrastructure for scientific and societal applications. C-FLOOD’s reliance on high-performance computing demonstrates the mission’s success in enabling tech-driven solutions for real-world challenges.
The collaboration between C-DAC, CWC, and NRSC under the NSM highlights the power of interdisciplinary partnerships in addressing complex issues like flood management. By combining expertise in hydrology, computing, and remote sensing, C-FLOOD sets a new standard for technology-driven disaster preparedness.
Minister’s Vision for Continuous Improvement
In his address, Minister Patil praised the joint efforts of CWC, C-DAC, and NRSC in operationalizing C-FLOOD. He urged the agencies to coordinate closely to ensure effective implementation and continuous enhancement of the forecasting system. Key areas for improvement include:
- Accuracy Enhancement: Through satellite validation and ground-truthing to refine flood predictions.
- System Integration: Seamless incorporation of forecasts into the NDEM portal for streamlined disaster response.
- Public Outreach: Widespread promotion of the C-FLOOD portal to maximize its impact on public preparedness.
These directives reflect the government’s commitment to making C-FLOOD a dynamic and evolving platform that meets the needs of India’s diverse and flood-prone regions.
Conclusion
The launch of C-FLOOD on July 2, 2025, marks a significant milestone in India’s journey toward effective flood management. By providing village-level flood alerts up to two days in advance, this unified forecasting system empowers communities and authorities to mitigate the devastating impacts of floods. Developed under the National Supercomputing Mission, C-FLOOD showcases the power of technology and collaboration in addressing India’s pressing challenges. As the system expands to cover all river basins and integrates with national disaster management frameworks, it promises to strengthen India’s resilience against floods and contribute to a safer, more prepared nation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is C-FLOOD, and how does it help with flood management in India?
C-FLOOD is a web-based Unified Inundation Forecasting System launched on July 2, 2025, by Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil. It provides two-day advance flood forecasts at the village level, offering high-resolution inundation maps and water level predictions. By integrating flood modeling outputs from national and regional agencies, C-FLOOD serves as a comprehensive decision-support tool for disaster management authorities, enhancing preparedness and mitigation efforts in flood-prone areas, which cover approximately 40 million hectares (12% of India’s total area).
2. Which organizations developed C-FLOOD, and under what initiative was it created?
C-FLOOD was collaboratively developed by the Central Water Commission (CWC), the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in Pune, the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), and the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. The system was executed under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), jointly steered by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
3. Which river basins are currently covered by C-FLOOD, and what are the plans for expansion?
Currently, C-FLOOD provides flood forecasting for the Mahanadi, Godavari, and Tapi river basins. Simulations for the Mahanadi basin are run on C-DAC’s high-performance computing infrastructure, while outputs for the Godavari and Tapi basins are integrated from NRSC’s models under the National Hydrology Project. The system is planned to expand to cover all major river basins across India, with Minister C.R. Patil directing agencies to prepare a comprehensive plan for nationwide inundation studies.
4. How does C-FLOOD use technology to improve flood forecasting accuracy?
C-FLOOD leverages advanced 2-D hydrodynamic modeling to simulate flood scenarios, powered by high-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure at C-DAC Pune. It integrates data from multiple sources, including satellite-based models from NRSC. To enhance accuracy, the system incorporates satellite validation and on-ground verification (ground-truthing). Forecasts are also set to be integrated with the National Disaster Management Emergency Response Portal (NDEM) for seamless disaster response.
5. How will C-FLOOD benefit local communities and disaster management authorities?
C-FLOOD provides village-level flood alerts up to two days in advance, enabling communities and authorities to prepare for and mitigate flood impacts. Its high-resolution inundation maps and water level predictions support early warning systems and evacuation planning. Minister Patil has emphasized public awareness campaigns to popularize the C-FLOOD portal, ensuring communities are informed and prepared, while integration with NDEM enhances coordination for disaster management authorities.
