23. Flood Forecasting and Response: Reducing Flood Losses While Managing Water More Effectively

The occurrence of floods and droughts globally has increased. In addition, the vulnerability of local communities, provinces and states, countries and regions is now greater. It is essential that National Hydrological and Meteorological Services increase their capabilities to reduce these losses and disruptions. This article describes how the growing need for improved water management and mitigation of disasters can be partially met by a coordinated team of hydrologists and meteorologists. Significant gains in technology, data acquisition and hydrometeorological modelling have resulted in increased predictive capability of both NHSs and NMSs that could be used to reduce losses from hydrological extremes and contribute to integrated water-management solutions for communities, states, countries and regions. Emerging technology and science in both fields of hydrology and meteorology promise significant improvements in forecast accuracy for the future.