Google today announced that it is now offering flood alerts through Google Public Alerts in India. This is provided by the Central Water Commission (CWC) using its observation stations for more than 170 areas. “These alerts are available on Google web search, Google Now cards in the Google app, Google Maps, and on the Public Alerts homepage, both on your computer and phone”, said google.
Clicking on the alert will show you information with details about the hazard, including a map and expected timeline, as well as tips on how to stay safe. Google introduced cyclone alerts in 2015 that shows cyclone’s projected area of impact, estimated time of arrival, and advice on what to do to stay safe.
Payal Patel, Product Manager and Kiran Bapna, Head, New Business Development, Google India, said:
We’re constantly working to improve our Google Crisis Response tools to make critical information more accessible around natural disasters. Through Public Alerts we show relevant official weather, public safety and earthquake alerts to give people the information they need to make informed decisions in times of crisis.
We’re thankful to the Central Water Commission for making their flood alerts available as well as the India Meteorological Department for their cyclone alerts. By making critical and life-saving information more widely available to people around India, we want to help more people prepare for natural disasters, and hopefully protect more lives together.