Bangkok: "Yotchanan-Boonthida" has collaborated with four organizations to launch "One Map Water," aiming to eliminate inconsistent data and showcase a centralized warning dashboard.
According to Thai News Agency, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) and the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DE) are analyzing lessons from the Nan floods and working with four other government agencies to expedite the creation of a "One Map for Water." This initiative seeks to eliminate conflicting data barriers and improve the accuracy and timeliness of disaster response through a centralized early warning system dashboard.
At Room Naree 2, Naree Club Building, Government House, Professor Dr. Yotsanu Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), along with Ms. Boonthida Somchai, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy and Society (DE), presided over the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with four key agencies. This MOU aims to accelerate the development of the "One Map for Water."
Professor Dr. Yoschanan highlighted that the collaboration emerged from fieldwork in managing flood responses in Nan Province, where a significant gap was noted in Thailand's early warning system. Data inconsistencies across agencies led to delays in decision-making.
'The most challenging aspect isn't giving orders, but addressing simple questions like, 'Where will the floodwaters reach,' 'How high will the water rise,' and 'How many hours will it take?' due to conflicting information from various agencies. Hence, the need for a 'One Map' for floods is crucial, so all agencies can access the same information and communicate a unified message to the public,' stated Prof. Dr. Yoschanan.
Ms. Boonthida Somchai emphasized the importance of the collaboration: 'This MOU is a crucial step in consolidating vital data nationwide. With data readily available, preparation and resource deployment can occur promptly. The government will be better positioned to manage situations collaboratively, offer timely assistance to affected citizens, and minimize damages.'
The signing signifies a cross-ministerial collaboration to integrate meteorological data, geospatial information, water situation data, and Big Data/AI into the National Water Data Repository. A centralized warning dashboard is now accessible to the public at www.thaiwater.net/new4all. The four main agencies have clearly defined roles and responsibilities:
The Thai Meteorological Department provides weather measurement data, forecasts, and radar, serving as the primary agency for issuing official warnings for storms and heavy rainfall.
The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (GISTDA) offers satellite imagery, geospatial data, hotspot monitoring, and PM2.5 data to assess high-risk areas.
The Water Resources Information Institute (WRII) supplies data on water levels and volume from automatic telemetry stations, assesses areas for rainfall monitoring 24-48 hours in advance, and compiles data into the National Water Data Bank.
The Big Data Institute (GDTI) develops analytics systems and dashboards, manages data according to governance principles, and applies artificial intelligence (AI) to support disaster management.
In conclusion, the Deputy Prime Minister reiterated that the ultimate goal is not merely to accumulate data or advance technology, but to identify risks swiftly and analyze them comprehensively. This will aid in timely evacuations and preparations before floods, ensuring sustainable security and safety for people's lives and property.