Journal of Flood Risk Management, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 16(4)

Published: July 31, 2023

From February to March 2023, Tropical Cyclone Freddy caused widespread flooding and mudslides in Madagascar, Mozambique, most parts of Zimbabwe southern Malawi. In Malawi, it was reported that more than 511 people lost their lives, 533 remain missing, 563,602 displaced (reliefweb, 2023). According the Sendai Framework for Disaster Reduction, communities affected by disasters can build back better if past are used as a basis strengthening disaster risk reduction programs (United Nations, 2015). Therefore, this be practical real-world experiences well documented made available management programs. Ostensibly, with Freddy, we observed information about damages related response measures taken has been widely shared through social media platforms, especially WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook. Thus, platforms present significant potential data sources operationalize provisions (especially priority action 4). It hazard later damage mostly screenshots indicating path progressed towards mainland Africa. At point, circulation originated from weather forecasting website services. After reached photographs videos showing damaged locations were shared, same happened analysis, posts not radiating central an individual or institution. Rather random individuals account vast quantities graphics associated Freddy. This only nourished public near-real-time but also captured areas contexts usually targeted mainstream (i.e., traditional media). Although is known lacking structure, equally seen one big create opportunities development disruptive innovations advancements data-driven science (Kitchin, 2014). So far, context flooding, previously flood water mapping (Fohringer et al., 2015; Rosser 2017), inundation modeling (Guan 2023; Ouyang 2022; Re 2022), providing valuable mitigation measures. However, previous tropical cyclones South-East Africa, rarely gathered organized direct efforts mitigate future similar events. Considering current situation, propose structured platform gather data. use keywords retrieve harvest hazards, how hazards interact human populations infrastructure developments s. stored on centralized where verified observer deliberate effort find location event happened. Malawi recently opened national center could purpose (Swinhoe, 2022). The integrated existing humanitarian tools such OpenStreetMap (Haklay & Weber, 2008), cutting-edge technologies Artificial Intelligence automate identification physical picture video captured. Equally, fused response, recovery, actions. We believe approach add value ongoing data-sharing practices promoting coordination transparency between relevant government authorities, organizations, public. must noted assess hindered limited presence active users, availability devices internet access considering 20.2% Malawi's population (Kemp, 2022) acceptability actors toward using feeds management. addition issues mentioned, developed might need have metrics indicate quality. One aspect likely suffer quality assigning graphic when written oral description available. can, however, mitigated employing multiple verifications score assigned verifier. conclusion, developing yet capturing generating meaningful may potentially bring transformation. cannot useful many countries common monitoring systems lacking. Data sharing applicable—no new generated.

Language: Английский