Regional Resilience Data and Analytics Service (RDAS) is developed by RIMES as a cloud-based, open-access platform for making available climate and sectoral data, and analytics capacities, for climate-informing policy, planning and investment decisions in the region, targeting to provide benefits for development institutions and their stakeholders, governments of inclusive countries, research institutions, and other relevant entities. 

RDAS is implemented by RIMES through the Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CARE) for South Asia Project in three countries of South Asia (Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan) with funding from the World Bank Group.

The platform uses machine learning to train models based on historical climate analysis and deploys the trained models to infer and predict on new or unknown datasets for future decision contexts. Users have seamless access to these trained regional models and datasets through API services without the need for rigorous training on the user’s end. 
 

RDAS Features 

Comprehensive Data Catalog: Curated list of data sources and data sites providing an extensive data portal from policy-makers to decision-makers at local levels.
Historical Climate Analytics: Repository of historical observed data trends and patterns, visualized on an interactive dashboard factoring climate change projections
Climate change projections and indices: Translating climate projections into indices for sectoral application and interpretation as defined by WMO. 
Decision Context: Linking climate-resilient decision-making to the indicators derived from sectoral data like agriculture, aggregated by indicators from domain experts

AI-backed data features in RDAS to enhance climate-informed decision making 

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 RIMES developed the Forecast Customization System (FOCUS), with support from the UK MET under the ARCCC, intending to support the NHMSs in the region to access and generate customized seasonal forecasts using the inbuilt Multi-Model Ensemble (MME) methods. The tool also supports the validation and verification of the estimates. 

FOCUS was initially designed with a blend of GCMs integrated from both COPERNICUS and IRI Data Library. With the recent changes and closure of support to many models in the Data Library, the FOCUS tool was also updated with new and latest models. Currently 18 GCM models are available in the FOCUS tool. 

Recent updates on FOCUS tools:

• Optimized data download and processing feature to standardize data format and structure. 
• Optimized data-checking processes before a forecast request submission, to increase speed and avoid data display errors.
• FOCUS TOOL Python scripts modified and generalized for precipitation and temperature.
• Inclusion of new pre-processed GCM model data

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Climate Risk Information System for Public Health (CRISH) is a public health advisory system that is based on 3-day and 10-day forecasts of extreme weather conditions, for diseases that have high correlation with weather patterns, such as malaria and dengue. 

This expert system analyzes and maps localities that have likelihood of disease occurrence, generates and disseminates weather forecast products with accompanying health advisories for each disease, displays real-time disease surveillance data that are entered into the system by health experts, and receives feedback from health professionals and other users.

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System for Multi-Hazard Potential Impact Assessment and Emergency Response Tracking (SMART) is a web-based system for assessing potential impacts from a multi-hazard framework using weather forecast information, and for evaluating, generating, and disseminating impact management options. 

The system, operational in Tamil Nadu, India  as TNSMART, generates and disseminates weather forecasts, forecast-based risk maps, and accompanying advisories. The system can visualize emergency response resource locations and quantities, and can also display updates from the ground that are entered by the registered users, thus allowing disaster managers to track and manage ongoing emergency response.

The system also acts as a data management platform for managing and processing weather, disaster risk, and emergency response resources data  for use by the Revenue Administration, Disaster Management and Mitigation Department. 

TNSMART provides for Forecast Value addition enabling the Regional Meteorological Centre RMC and IMD to make appropriate changes and adjust IMD forecast values according to ground reality before dissemination to the public. Similarly, the mobile application was upgraded to a hybrid and native application with inclusion of new features like the lightning alert and drought information with an improved user interface. 

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SATARK is a one-stop risk management system for automated assessment of risks and evaluation and dissemination of alerts and resource management actions, informed by climate data at different timescales.

SATARK, integrated into operations of Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) generates impact-based forecasting and assists disaster managers to take forecast-based early actions.

SATARK system

SATARK utilizes weather forecast products from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for meteorological forecasts and ocean state forecasts from INCOIS that are integrated into the systems for generating customized sector based advisories and alerts. The analytics built into the system computes the climate normal and helps in producing user-specific climate products.

The system has been further enhanced through improvement to the module functionalities including the dashboard and the enhancement of the interface design of the mobile application. 

Other major improvements include the storm surge modeling and the cyclone impact analysis, heatwave alert generation based on the value added forecast generated by IMD MC office, Bhubaneswar.

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FloCAST translates rainfall and temperature forecasts to discharge forecasts, using freely available hydrological models customized for the selected river basins, generate water level forecasts, which are further corrected using real-time observations from telemetered stations and finally generate and disseminate advisories. The system produces reliable sub-basin scale precipitation and hydrological forecasts.

FloCAST is developed using open source tools to avoid recurring cost, with a computationally simple, fast and easy to operate system which can be seamlessly integrated in a DSS. Additionally, RIMES is proactive in building confidence among operational staff by conducting training at various stages of development and integration of FloCAST.

FloCAST components and functionality

1. Meteorological forecast processor extracts sub-basin scale WRF data, and produces bias-corrected forecast inputs for the hydrological model
2. Hydrological processor produces discharge and water level forecasts for three days at all selected forecasting locations
3. Discharge and water level updating system based on recent observations
4. Verification system compares past 15 days forecast against observations

FloCAST has been developed for Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Philippines and India. 

Reservoir Management System

1. Provides a mechanism to issue timely flood warning and arrange institutional coordination 
2. Improved reservoir operation and management plans, which incorporate and synchronize the role of large, medium and small water storages, to mitigate the impact of floods
3. Enhance the capacity to operate reservoirs and manage river basins from a flood management objective
    

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SESAME is a web portal for generating and disseminating crop management advisories for specific crops at particular growth stages based on weather and climate information at four different timescales, which are:

• 3-day high resolution weather forecast to inform daily decision-making
• 10-day weather forecast (separated into two pentads) for planning week-ahead activities
• Monthly outlook for planning activities that require longer lead time 
• 3-monthly outlook for long-term seasonal planning    

SESAME maps crop sensitivity to a particular weather condition, processes how predicted weather will influence crop growth, and generates crop advisories using machine-learning algorithms.  

The system has capabilities for disseminating bulletins via email, SMS, fax, social media (Facebook), and mobile app, as well as capability for receiving user feedback. The system generates:  

• real-/ near real-time or most recent observation data and weather information for the past decade, month, and season to aid understanding of current and recent historical weather condition;
• daily weather forecast, daily update of the pentads (five-day spells), and monthly and 3-monthly outlooks; information on the normal for the pentad, decade, monthly, and 3-monthly climate;
• crop management advisories, accompanying the forecasts and outlooks.

Customization of SESAME

The prototype of SESAME for Punjab Agriculture Department (PAD), Pakistan was completed by the RIMES Systems Development Team in 2021. The system was enhanced for Myanmar and customized for Nepal to provide seasonal forecast-based advisories. Furthermore, capabilities for meteorological services to include regular seasonal forecast were built into the system, along with a mobile application for improved call center service, my crop, and voice messaging services. 
 

SESAME Plus (SPLUS) DSS

SPLUS, an upgrade to the existing SESAME DSS of RIMES, is a tool for generating and disseminating tailored advisories for key national stakeholders of the agricultural sector.

In collaboration with UKMO, Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) and Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), RIMES developed SPLUS as a part of the Asia Regional Resilience to a Changing Climate (ARRCC) Programme.  

SPLUS enables key stakeholders such as DAE, BRRI, BARI to tailor their advisory services in the north western and south western regions of Bangladesh. The DSS comprises three key modules: weather and climate, crop, and advisory generation and dissemination.
 

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ShakeCast, short for Shakemap Broadcast, is an automated post-earthquake damage assessment tool, firstly developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). This freely available tool makes use of seismic data, minutes after earthquake origin time, to estimate risks to population and critical facilities. 

RIMES customizes ShakeCast for estimating risks to population and critical facilities using real-/near real-time data from an earthquake event. ShakeCast uses exposure data at the smallest administrative unit e.g. village level population data and detailed building inventory and appropriate building vulnerability functions. Potential damage information is sent to registered users by SMS, fax, and email. Bulletins are updated based on improved earthquake parameters for the event. 

Information generated by ShakeCast is useful for emergency first responders, loss estimators, and policymakers. Large organizations and/or government agencies can use ShakeCast information to automatically notify their maintenance units and/or rescue teams, based on shaking thresholds set for their critical facilities. Linked to GIS databases, impact on particular facilities could be quickly assessed, and timely information could be provided to ensure safety and efficient response.

ShakeCast Components and Functionality

1. Earthquake Hazard Evaluation and Potential Damage 

ShakeCast uses ShakeMap, a model based on ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs), fault location for larger events, site condition maps (usually Vs30), and interpolation between strong motion data and estimates for measuring ground motion, e.g. intensity, peak ground acceleration, peak ground velocity or spectral response after an earthquake event. The system then compares the hazard, e.g. areas with low, moderate, or severe shaking, with vulnerable elements in an area to estimate potential damage to each element, and disseminates advisory for those estimated to have significant potential impact.

2. Customization of ShakeCast system

RIMES customizes ShakeCast system using country-based information, depending on available data and user specifications from member states. However, for countries that lack good building inventory database, open source application like Google Earth may be used to collect building information, e.g.  building name, usage and location. 

3. ShakeCast products

Information products from ShakeCast include notifications, potential impact bulletins on population and structures, and a summary report, disseminated via email or SMS. Generation and dissemination of these products are triggered for earthquake events at certain user-specified magnitude.

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Portal for Regional Estimation of Coastal tsunami Impacts using Sea-level and Earthquake information (PRECISE) is a tsunami forecasting tool developed by RIMES to determine tsunami arrival time, directivity, amplitudes and inundation.

PRECISE combines preliminary earthquake information: magnitude and epicenter location, with a pre-computed tsunami database to generate a comprehensive forecast with points along coasts that would be potentially affected. The system uses sea-level information obtained from DART buoys and tidal gauges to update and validate forecasts.

A unit-source database has been developed for the Sunda (Western Philippines) and Makran (Central Asia Region) subduction zones as they can generate destructive tsunamis in the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea. Since DART buoys and tidal gauges have been installed and upgraded after the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, near real-time data from the sea-level sensors can be used to revise fault parameters of an earthquake by using inverse analysis. The inundation forecast is performed using the nonlinear TUNAMI model at some key coastal sites. Results from simulation are compiled in a bulletin format to distribute to countries.
 

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Risk assessment is an important process to assess and comprehend tsunami hazard and its effects to communities. In order to optimize end to end early warning systems, tsunami risk information can be utilized to raise public awareness and further develop preparedness planning and response capacity of communities during emergencies. 

INSPIRE was developed and implemented in several countries in the region through an ESCAP supported project, realized through a research collaboration between RIMES and Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, and remains as a core tool of RIMES in disaster risk management. 

INSPIRE provides a simplified and standardized analytical process and minimum user technical capability for tsunami hazard, vulnerability and risk assessment. The analysis modules are designed to handle multi-dimensional vulnerability data and different levels of data accuracy, allowing users to undertake preliminary tsunami risk assessment using available data, with progressive improvement in assessment results as more detailed and accurate datasets are used. 

INSPIRE outputs include tsunami inundation maps, showing maximum inundation depths, maximum flow velocities, and estimated tsunami arrival times, tsunami loss estimates in terms of probability  of  casualty,  probabilities  of  building  collapse or severe  damage  for  different building types, and number of buildings that could be inundated at an inundation depth range for buildings of different construction and occupancy types.
 

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