An Early Development of Flood Inundation Mapping Method Using Free Android Application to Support Emergency Response Activities: Case Study Baleendah, Bandung, West Java

TL;DR

This study develops a quick, easy, and accurate flood mapping method using a free Android app to support emergency response, demonstrated through field trials in Baleendah, Bandung, providing timely flood extent information.

Contribution

It introduces a simplified flood mapping approach using a free Android application, enabling rapid and accessible flood inundation mapping for emergency response support.

Findings

Flood mapping can be completed in 4 hours for 15 km survey.

Flooded areas in Baleendah reached over 760 hectares during two flood events.

The method is easy to learn and can involve local communities in disaster management.

Abstract

This study aims to simplify the current flood mapping methodology, so it can be done in quicker time, easy to learn, but still produce accurate flood information to support the emergency responses. This study is divided into two activities: Survey development and flood mapping methods; Field survey and mapping to test the developed method. The method development was then conducted by examining the simple methods in the flood mapping survey and then testing it in the field. The results of these trials were then evaluated to determine the most effective and efficient methods. The utilization of free android mapping application to conduct flood survey shows satisfactory results. Based on two trials, it was known that it takes only 4 hours to conduct a 15 km survey of Citarum River segment. The mapping shows that the flood areas in Baleendah and its surrounding reached 763 Ha and 794 Ha respectively on 25 December 2014 and 13 March 2016. In addition, the method developed is also relatively easy to use, so it is expected to trigger the local communities to play an active role in disaster prevention efforts, especially in emergency response by providing accurate information about the flood inundation areas.