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LNEC researcher in innovative project for flood forecasting2025-04-02 Researcher Gonçalo João Vitorino de Jesus, from LNEC, leads the INFLOOD project, which aims to improve the forecasting and management of flood risks in river basins, focusing mainly on flash flood events. The project, which uses the Ribeira das Vinhas basin in Cascais as a case study, integrates artificial intelligence (AI) and big data technologies to create an adaptive, real-time system capable of predicting floods with greater precision and speed. INFLOOD emerges as an evolution of the INUNDATIO project, developed within the scope of the INTERREG program, which has already implemented a network of sensors and hydrological models in the Ribeira das Vinhas basin. Now, the new project aims to overcome the limitations of traditional methods, such as the reliance on historical data and the complexity of models based on physical processes, by using AI techniques such as neural networks and reinforcement learning to predict extreme events more efficiently. The system developed within the scope of INFLOOD will be demonstrated and evaluated in real scenarios, with the aim of providing accurate and real-time forecasts for civil protection services and other partners. The platform combines data from hydrological and hydraulic models, and AI algorithms to predict flood levels and flow velocities, contributing to risk mitigation and the protection of lives and infrastructure. In line with the European Union Floods Directive, INFLOOD, in addition to benefiting the urban area of Cascais, will serve as a model for other regions with similar challenges, promoting resilience and safety in the face of extreme weather events. |
