UK to Establish Nationwide Network for Early Flood and Drought Warning System

Strategic Insights -

A new project aimed at improving the UK's response to extreme weather will see the establishment of a UK-wide network to provide earlier warnings of floods and droughts. The project, led by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, will use sensors in rivers across the UK to gather data and identify potential flashpoints. This will enable the government to implement plans to limit the impact of these events, ultimately saving lives, reducing damage to homes and businesses, and cutting the economic cost.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Floods and Droughts Research Infrastructure project will receive £40 million in funding to support the development of a UK-wide network for early flood and drought warning.
  • The project will be led by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, with the goal of using advanced technology to gather data and predict potential flashpoints.
  • The project aims to save lives, reduce damage to homes and businesses, and cut the economic cost of floods and droughts.
  • Floods minister Emma Hardy stated that preparation and prediction are key in extreme flooding and drought events.
  • The project will share findings with bodies such as the Environment Agency to steer the UK response to extreme weather.
  • The UK-wide network will also act as a hub for researchers to pursue new innovations with discoveries.
  • Technology Secretary Peter Kyle emphasized the importance of better preparing for extreme weather events, citing climate change as a contributing factor.

Statistics:

  • £40 million: The amount of funding provided for the Floods and Droughts Research Infrastructure project.
  • "Eye-watering cost": The phrase used by Technology Secretary Peter Kyle to describe the economic cost of floods and droughts.
  • West Country valleys and coastal areas: Regions prone to flooding, with river banks and sea defences overtopping during extreme weather.
  • "World-leading researchers": Describes the team behind the project, as stated by Floods minister Emma Hardy.

Sources:

  • Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
  • Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
  • UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
  • Emma Hardy, Floods Minister
  • Peter Kyle, Technology Secretary
  • Caption(s): Photo of flooding in Tewkesbury