Improving flood management in Maharashtra, India

We helped the Water Resources Department (WRD) of Maharashtra in India improve flood management operations with our Real-Time Streamflow Forecasting and Reservoir Operation System (RTSF & ROS).

Operating the 46 reservoirs in the Krishna and Bhima River Basins in an integrated manner was difficult for the WRD of Maharashtra. Previously, water authorities operated the basins on rigid schedules and as single entities based on historical hydro-meteorological data and previous experience. However, highly variable rainfall in the area combined with delays in receiving up-to-date data made it difficult to adapt to changing conditions.

Our RTSF & ROS provided the WRD of Maharashtra with the information they need to efficiently operate multiple reservoirs. A real-time Decision Support System (RTDSS), our RTSF & ROS utilises the data collected from 300 telemetry stations in the Krishna and Bhima River Basins, which includes:

• rainfall
• reservoir water levels
• gate positions
• river water levels and discharge
• other climatic parameters

The system’s hydrological, hydrodynamic and real-time flood forecasting modules then utilise the collected data to help authorities:

• monitor and forecast streamflow
• manage the operations of the 46 reservoirs in the basins

Now Maharashtra’s WRD can optimise the operation of the area's reservoirs and improve flood management significantly.