Work

Detecting Localized Floods in Tropical Regions With CYGNSS SmallSat Constellation: A Proof of Concept From the Maritime Continent

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Flooding events are a major contributor to natural disasters across the global tropics. However, reliable flood data are sparse, which limits our ability to understand flood dynamics across spatial and temporal scales. Here, data from the CYGNSS SmallSat constellation are utilized to identify small‐ to regional‐scale flooding events in Sumatra. Three case studies show that CYGNSS‐derived inundation data capture evolution of floods, with increased inundation detected near flood locations 1 day after the event. A comprehensive analysis of 555 floods records in Sumatra identifies key parameters for a flood detection: an inundation anomaly threshold (0.1) and maximum distance between observations and a flood location (15 km). This approach could enhance flood risk assessment and forecasting, benefiting tropical populations. Our methodology, reliant on low‐cost small‐satellites, shows promise for future scalability with a larger satellite constellation, enabling better flood detection and long‐term, near‐real‐time monitoring of floods across the global tropics.

Source: Geophysical Research Letters

DOI: 10.1029/2025gl118111

Authors: Zofia Baldysz, Dariusz B. Baranowski, Piotr J. Flatau, Maria K. Flatau, Clara Chew

Institutions: Institute of Geophysics Polish Academy of Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego

Language: English

Topic: Flood Risk Assessment and Management

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,190