DOST is implementing a two-year river basin approach project called the National Operational Assessment of Hazards Program, involving 18 major rivers basins in the country. The program is designed to set up a more responsive disaster preparedness system to reduce, if not eliminate, human casualties from rain- triggered natural hazards.

For the program, DOST will design systems, including the deployment of sensors, to improve flood monitoring and mitigation. These instruments will be installed in the cell sites of Smart and Sun located in key areas within the 18 target river basins.

Smart and Sun also committed to design and implement communications solutions for the early warning, feedback and reporting requirements of DOST’s program. The three partners also committed to share data and other information derived from the said program.

DOST’s NOAH aims to respond to the urgent need for a reliable flood warning system in all major river systems and watersheds in the country. It has seven major components, including Disaster Risk Exposure (DREAM), Assessment and Mitigation, FLOODNET, Sensors Development and Weather Media.

The program was launched recently after President Benigno Aquino III issued directives to concerned government agencies to step up national efforts toward greater and more intensive disaster risk reduction and management procedures in the wake of Typhoon Sendong.  (Allan Mauro Marfal, S&T Media Service)