GIS BASED SWOT ANALYSIS HYDROLOGICAL DESIGN AIDS (HDA)

Strength

Weaknesse s

Implementation of full design philosophy of hydrology as desktop based analysis tool in an integrated way which encompasses all areas of Surface Water Hydrology. Implementation areas include Assessment of Water availability, Estimation of Design Flood and Estimation of Sedimentation. Display of location specific information in hydrology sector in a comprehensive and integrated format bringing together from diversified sources. Merging of various hydrological analyses to facilitate decision making. Integrated storage for all three modules and integrated sharing of outputs Will offer an unified hydrological modeling environment Operation of a common database repository for spatial and non spatial data and sharing among public departments dealing with water resources. Increasing Use of GIS in water related departments Bringing together different hydrological softwares (Like HEC HMS, HEC DSS Vue, Win SRM) from different vendors and making them work together seamlessly in an integrated environment. Change of OS, Upgrades and patches and components from various vendors may come into conflict with other. Development as well as installation of the integrated application package. Licensing issues involved in development of Arc Engine Application for various tools Lack of data availability, data dispersion, data incompatibilities, and difficulties to access to data, both quantitative and qualitative aspects of Surface Water. Administrative issues arising out due to interactions between various State Governments and Regional Bodies (e.g Cauvery Water Dispute between Tamilnadu and Karnataka) which may hinder timely and complete data acquisition. Shortage of technical means to implement software based DSS: staff is not trained for the use of GIS or water quality monitoring networks, and very often there is a lack on basic office equipment. Lack of information regarding the latest innovative tools for catchment management Incomplete legal framework for environmental monitoring with regard to responsibilities, standards, quality management and reporting. Absence or shortage of formal channels for the participation of researchers on the decision making process regarding Water Management.

Opportuniti es

Can be showcased as a unique approach for country wide hydrological analysis tool having flexibility to adjust itself to various regional, topographic, land use and climatic parameters. The integrated package can further be upgraded to an Expert System Currently the system will be window based, but it can be modified to an web version for easy access from any location. National Flood Damage Reduction Programme and Flooding mitigations plans Investments from the Water Board aiming to improve the system of water data recording, collection and transmission. Investments from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Water Administration for an archive of water resources.

Threats