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Weather tracking app NOAH hailed as a top public safety initiative in Asia

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In a country visited by an average of 20 typhoons each year like the Philippines, disaster preparedness and mitigation is an important activity that should be shared by all stakeholders, including government, private sector and non-governmental organizations. The country faces millions of dollars in agricultural and infrastructure losses, as well as countless lives put in danger from these weather disturbances. It is therefore paramount that stakeholders take advantage of technology in addressing the effects of disasters.

In 2009, typhoon “Ondoy” (international name “Ketsana”) ravaged Luzon, the country’s largest land mass, and destroyed US$246 million in infrastructure and agriculture. Much of the capital, Metro Manila, was submerged in flood waters, stranding thousands of commuters and passengers. In 2013, super typhoon “Yolanda” (international name “Haiyan”) devastated the Visayas islands, killing at least 6,300 people and bringing about $2.05 billion in damages.

How technology can help

While disturbances like these are unavoidable, technology can help mitigate the effects of the disaster, particularly by enabling citizens, organizations and government agencies to plan ahead. In the wake of Ketsana, the country’s Department of Science and Technology commissioned the development of a system that provides up-to-date information and data to the public.

Dubbed the Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH), the system involves an array of hydro-meteorigical devices, light detection and ranging (LIDAR), doppler radar systems, landslide detection devices and other sensors. The project also includes web and mobile apps (iOS and Android) that the public can access to keep track of storm, flooding and landslide risks.

Project NOAH provides access to real-time data from weather and landslide-tracking systems around the country. Credit: NOAH/DOST
Project NOAH provides access to real-time data from weather and landslide-tracking systems around the country. Credit: NOAH/DOST

Top “smart city” initiative

Recently, the International Data Corporation (IDC) in Asia Pacific awarded Project NOAH as the Top Smart City Initiative in Public Safety during the 2016 Smart City Asia Pacific Awards. As the Philippine government’s flagship disaster management initiative, the project “succeeds in transforming cities for the better through smart and sustainable technology,” says Jubert Daniel Alberto, Country Head, IDC Philippines.

Other contenders and awardees include solutions for smart farming, efficient transportation, energy load forecasting services and e-tourism initiatives across the Asia Pacific region. Beyond government-led projects, IDC highlights the benefit of citizen-led initiatives in building smart cities. “[T]here is notably a growing prevalence of citizen-directed initiatives and driving local industries, which ultimately contributes back to stimulating domestic social and economic sustainability,” says Gerald Wang, Head, IDC Asia Pacific Government and Education.

The takeaway

Of course, data and applications can only do so much, and it will be up to the stakeholders to act upon the information provided by the platform. In this regard, NOAH has, so far, succeeded in helping concerned citizens and agencies. For example, local government officials in low-lying Marikina City cite NOAH as an effective tool in making life-saving decisions. While officials previously had to manually make telephone calls to ask about expected rainfall and water levels, access to real-time data helps them decide when evacuation is necessary.

J. Angelo Racoma
I am a storyteller for startups and enterprises. I am a storyteller for startups and enterprises. I help brands and businesses engage and connect with audiences through effective content strategy. I have worked with top Fortune 500 technology companies, as well as numerous tech startups, incubators and accelerators across the EU, APAC and West Asia. Some examples include Microsoft, Rocket Internet, Pollenizer, Kickstart, and more.