Yuyao's Tech Wins: Flood Foiled by Smart Forecasting

A specialized forecasting system designed for small watersheds has proven instrumental in preventing weather-related disasters in Yuyao, Zhejiang province. Since 2023, a machine-learning model, dubbed "One Strategy for One Gully," has been analyzing cumulative rainfall, peak intensity, and rain rates. This system provides dynamic thresholds for each drainage gully, offering immediate and visible alerts when danger levels are approached. The system's efficacy was demonstrated during Typhoon Co-May, when torrential rains threatened the city. Precision meteorological forecasting and rapid warning systems facilitated the timely evacuation of all 1,153 residents from designated risk zones.

Yuyao's unique topography, characterized by mountains, water, and farmland, often funnels extreme rainfall into narrow valleys, creating conditions ripe for flash floods. The city has faced significant challenges from past typhoons, including In-Fa in 2021 and Muifa in 2022, which brought record rainfall and river flooding. To combat these fast-acting threats, meteorologists and water resource officials established a joint consultation mechanism. This collaboration allows for prompt risk assessment and coordinated action before storms strike, complemented by automated audio and visual alarms on alert poles in high-risk areas.