Physical security solutions, especially video surveillance and analytics, can help in lowering risks associated with extreme weather incidents.
Climate change is a controversial subject. Many people see it as a problem that requires urgent action, while several others are not so interested. Governments are meeting up frequently to discuss about it, although they often don’t translate to any action.
But several studies have shown that climate change and its effects are real. And it’s not something that would happen only centuries later. We are seeing the impact of climate change already in the form of extreme weather incidents. According to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) it is
increasingly clear that climate change “has detectably influenced” several of the water-related variables that contribute to floods, such as rainfall and snowmelt. This means that while global warming may not cause floods directly, it worsens many of the elements that do.
Dealing with climate change is a broad, long-term problem. In the short term, protecting people and lives from extreme weather events is more important. This is especially relevant as more and more people move to cities, increasing population density and chances of natural disasters causing irrevocable harm. Physical security solutions, especially video surveillance and analytics, can play an essential role in lowering these risks.
Video technology for flood detection
Floods cause more damage in urban environments than in many other natural disasters. According to a
study by the University of Maryland, urban flooding is occurring and is a growing source of significant economic loss, social disruption, and housing inequality in much of the United States.
Extensive suburban development that creates higher flood flows into urban areas, aging, and frequently undersized infrastructure in older sections of communities, an inability to maintain existing drainage systems, increases in intense rainfall events, and uncoordinated watershed management all contribute to these increases in urban flooding.
The important point to ensure is that authorities have critical data and receive alerts about potential threats at the right time. In a
blog post, Andrea Sorri, Segment Development Manager Smart Cities EMEA at Axis Communications, points out that video surveillance and the Internet of Things can work together for faster alerts and response to flood-related threats.
“Camera and IoT sensors can help to monitor areas which are prone to flooding and alert officials once a pre-determined threshold is met,” explains Sorri. “This allows measures to be quickly put in place, from communicating the crisis with affected communities via loudspeaker or text message to arranging evacuation, if needed. Acting quickly can help remove people from immediate danger and enable emergency teams to re-route traffic, restrict access to dangerous areas and manage the situation as it develops.”
Such use of technology is seen in France, where the Météo-France’s Flood Forecasting Service (SPC) uses surveillance cameras and sensors to monitor waterways in the southeast parts of the country, which are particularly vulnerable to flooding incidents. Experts can identify potential flooding from data on rainfall and groundwater, as well as observation across underwater flow sensors. Using cameras, authorities can monitor the water level in canals and other waterways, becoming part of a broader solution to mitigate the threats.
Surveillance against wildfires
Another major natural disaster causing severe concerns is wildfires, especially in places like Australia and certain parts of the US. They cause major damage to people as well as wildlife, are extremely difficult to put out because of the scale, and can go on for long periods of time.
In this situation, surveillance cameras can help in monitoring areas that may be identified as ignition points. Monitoring air quality and conditions will also help authorities understand the possibilities of fire spreading out of control and take steps accordingly.
“This was certainly the case for ALERTWildfire, a monitoring organization based in the US. Officials wanted to deploy high-quality camera technology in forested areas to help firefighters and the public spot fire ignitions before they burst into full-fledged conflagrations,” Sorri says. “Working with Professional Telecommunications Services (PTS), network cameras were used as sensors to monitor for any flare-ups in remote areas and provide location information so firefighters could address fire activity early. The cameras also allowed emergency services to monitor situations as they progressed, which helped to inform further decisions and provide updates to the affected communities and wider public.”
A similar approach was taken by Hong Kong’s Big Tree Animal Sanctuary and Adoption Center as well after a fire incident increased awareness of the risks involved. This is something a lot more organizations and governments can consider, as vital data about an incident can go a long way in helping response teams deal with the situation effectively.
An integrated approach to extreme weather
Extreme weather incidents can happen anywhere, can escalate quickly, and cause serious damage to people and assets. One of the most effective ways to mitigate this risk is through smart monitoring using surveillance solutions, video analytics, and IoT sensors.
Of course, most of these devices have to be able to withstand rugged conditions so that they can continue to serve even in hazardous conditions. Besides the real-time advantages, long-term analytics data can also help authorities understand the patterns of incidents to help make better plans that would reduce risks associated with natural disasters.