The Argentine capital launched a water and weather monitoring system to help prepare for and prevent damaging floods.
Buenos Aires has created a hydro-meteorological monitoring system to provide reliable and accurate information needed for planning and emergency management, risk management and flood mitigation, as well as for monitoring and protecting water resources. The monitoring system consists of a network of interconnected sensors that automatically measures and monitors meteorological, hydrological, and environmental parameters. So far, 30 information collection points have been installed, with more sensors under development. With the knowledge of changes in rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind direction and speed, and stream water level, the city can generate much more reliable community alerts and make better-informed, real-time decisions during emergencies.
With the data derived from the monitoring system, Buenos Aires will be better equipped for emergency management by pre-empting social and medical assistance needs; predicting and monitoring weather phenomena; automatically operating pumping stations and floodgates; issuing warnings to key institutions and the public; and sending cleaning crews to compromised drains. All these data-informed actions can save lives, infrastructure, and money.
30% reduction in CO2 emissions in Buenos Aires by 2030, supported by the monitoring system
The challenge
In recent years, Buenos Aires has set records for rainfall and heat waves, and the intensity of storms and flooding is expected to increase in the future. The frequent floods have caused property damage, loss of income, negative public health impacts, and impaired living and working conditions. These events led the city to develop a monitoring system in order to help prevent and lessen the consequences of floods.
Co-benefits
Economic In April 2013, Buenos Aires suffered a record rainfall, causing more than $300 million in damages. The hydro-meteorological monitoring system will help prevent such catastrophes in the future.
Environmental Better information on water sources and water quality will help restore and protect aquatic ecosystems.
Health The monitoring system will help avoid injuries caused by flooding and illness caused by waterborne diseases.
Social Including residents and daily commuters, the monitoring system will protect approximately 6 million people.
About Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and most populous city of Argentina. “Buenos aires” can be translated as “fair winds” or “good airs”. The Greater Buenos Aires conurbation, constitutes the fourth-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas, with a population of around 17 million. Buenos Aires is considered an ‘alpha city’ by the study GaWC5. Buenos Aires’ quality of life was ranked 81st in the world and one of the best in Latin America in 2012, with its per capita income among the three highest in the region. Buenos Aires is a top tourist destination, and is known for its preserved Spanish/European-style architecture and rich cultural life.
