Iloilo gets flood monitoring system

ILOILO CITY, Philippines  – Five automated rain gauges (ARGs) have been turned over by Smart Communications to the DOST-Region 6 for flood monitoring and disaster preparedness system in Iloilo province.

The firm also donated P345,000 to fund the installation of automatic water level sensors in the Aganan river system running through several towns in Iloilo, while DOST-6 has also tapped Smart to provide wireless linkage to its ARGs installed across the region.

All five ARGs simultaneously collect rainfall data, without human interference, and automatically send data every 15 minutes, using Smart SIM cards, from remote sites direct to DOST’s headquarters for study and analysis. The devices are solar-powered, making them more resilient to power disruptions during typhoons.

The data transmitted by the ARGs will enable DOST’s other equipment and personnel to monitor rainfall volume and duration and estimate its impact on the river levels downstream, eventually helping in flood prediction and in the LGU’s management of early warning information.

DOST-6 director Rowen Gelonga, during the launching of one ARG in Alimodian town of Iloilo, said the devices are part of one system to benefit Iloilo in preparing for disasters and saving lives.

“We hope that over time, we can generate more data and come up with better correlations between rainfall and flooding. With the ARGs, other equipment and water level sensors that we are installing all over the region, the LGUs will be more prepared for adverse weather events,” Gelonga said

Ramon Isberto, head of Smart’s Public Affairs Group, said, “We are happy to partner with the DOST in order to help improve the disaster preparedness capabilities of the region.”(FREEMAN)