Satellite based Analysis on Godavari Floods -

Flood Mapping & Monitoring in Telangana State

Disaster Management Support Group

National remote Sensing Centre (NRSC)
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
Dept. of Space, Govt. of India
Balanagar, Hyderabad-37
Telangana State, India.
 DOCUMENT CONTROL SHEET

1. Security Official
Classification
2. Distribution NRSC/ISRO, Telangana State Govt, MHA,GOI
3. Report /Document Version – 1.0 Dated.28 July 2022
4. Report Type Study Report
5. Document Control NRSA- RSA-DMSG-FMRAD-JUL-2021-
No.
6. Title Satellite based Analysis on Godavari Floods -
Flood Mapping & Monitoring in Telangana State
7. Particulars of Pages: 35; Figures: 12; Tables : 3
collation
8. Author(s) Data Analysis and Interpretation :
Askash Mohan , S/E-SD, FMRAD
Asiya Begum , S/E-SE, FMRAD
9. Affiliation of authors National Remote Sensing Centre
10. Scrutiny mechanism Prepared by Reviewed by Approved by
Dr A V Suresh Dr KHV Durga Rao Dr.V.V.Rao)
Babu, Head- GH-DMSG DD-RSAA
FMRAD
11. Originating unit National Remote Sensing Centre
12. Sponsor(s) National Remote Sensing Centre (DMSP)

13. Date of Project 14th July 2022

Initiation
14. Date of Publication 28th July 2022
15. Abstract:

Heavy rains were reported in Telangana during 2nd week of week of July 2022.
Godavari river passes through Telangana State and the villages adjacent to the
Godavari river are prone to flood inundation during heavy rainfall and runoff
into river. In view of the above scenario, NRSC has initiated to acquire the
satellite data and map the flood inundation since 14th July 2022 to 27th, July
2022 for providing the near real flood inundation maps to the State and
Central Disaster Management Support organizations. Summary of study is
provided in this report
 CONTENTS

S.No Particulars Page No

1 Introduction 1
2 Rainfall Pattern Analysis 1
3 Spatial Surface Runoff analysis 4
4 Monitoring of Water Level Gauge stations along Godavari
7
River
5 Satellite data planning and acquisition
11
5.1. List of Satellite Data Utilized
11
6 Methodology Satellite based Flood Inundation Mapping
and Monitoring
12
7 Flood Inundation Mapping and Monitoring
14
7.1 Analysis of Flood Inundation areas
15
7.2 View of Flood inundation areas at district level
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7.3. Monitoring of Flood scenario on 27.07.2022
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8 Dissemination to State / Central Disaster Management
Organizations
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8.1 List of Offices through - Through Email
24
8.2 Dissemination of Information through Email and Web
Portals 24

Annexure- View of Reaches along Godavari River during Pre & Post
1 Flood scenario in the affected districts 27
 List of Tables

S.No Particulars Page No

1 List of satellite data used 12

2 List of districts affected due to riverine flooding of
15
Godavari River in Telangana State
3 List of districts affected due to riverine flooding of
Godavari River and also rain induced floods in Telangana
15
State

List of Figures
S.No Particulars Page No

1 Rainfall interpolated from point gridded data over

Godavari River Basin 2

2 Normal Rainfall and Deviation during 14-20, July 2022 in

2
Telangana State
3 Normal Rainfall and Deviation during Jun-July 2022 in 3
Telangana State
3.1 Daily Rainfall during 1st Jun to 28th July 2022 over
4
Telangana State
4(a) Cumulative runoff during 10-14th, July 2022 in parts of
5
Godavari river basin
4(b) Cumulative runoff during 15-20th, July 2022 in parts of
Godavari river 6

4(c) Cumulative runoff during 21-24th,July 2022 in parts of

Godavari river basin 6
 4(d) Cumulative runoff during 20-24th,July 2022 in parts of
Godavari river basin 7

5 Location of CWC Gauge Stations along Godavari river

across Telangana State 8

6(a) to Water level variations at gauge stations along Godavari

6(e) River 8-10

7 Methodology for Pre-flood data preparation 13

8 Methodology for flood mapping and Monitoring 14
9 Cumulative flood inundation map during 14th-24th July
2022 16

10 High resolution Satellite image showing IRS SAR data as on

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16th July 2022(1800Hrs)
11(a) Satellite derived Cumulative Flood Inundation Map
in Bhadradri Kothagudem district 18

11(b) Satellite derived Cumulative Flood Inundation Map in

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Manchiryal district
11(c) Satellite derived Cumulative Flood Inundation Map
in Mulugu district 19

11(d) Satellite derived Cumulative Flood Inundation Map

in Komaram Bheem district 20

11(e) Satellite derived Cumulative Flood Inundation Map

in Jayashankar Bhoopalpally district 20

11(f) Satellite derived Cumulative Flood Inundation Map

in Peddaplle district 21

12 View of Optical (Top image) & Microwave SAR (Bottom

Image) data showing the areas after the recession of the 22
flood
13 View of IRS SAR Image showing part of Godavari river
23
passing through Telangana State as on 27th July 2022
 Flood Mapping and Monitoring in Telangana State

1.0 Introduction

Heavy rains were reported in Telangana during 2nd week of July 2022. Godavari river
passes through Telangana State and the villages adjacent to the Godavari river are
prone to flood inundation during heavy rainfall and runoff into river. In view of the
above scenario, NRSC has initiated to acquire the satellite data and map the flood
inundation since 14th July 2022 to 27th, July 2022 for providing the near real flood
inundation maps to the State and Central Disaster Management Support
organizations.

NRSC has followed up with the rainfall pattern, predicted runoff scenarios on a daily
basis and planned for acquisition of satellite data during the flood duration. The
report describes the summary of the study carried out on flood mapping and
monitoring using satellite data and the view of satellite images . Support of
International Charter is also called for acquisition of satellite data from international
satellites apart while using Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites.

2. Rainfall Pattern Analysis

Rainfall has occurred heavily in Telangana State during July in 2nd week of July 2022
and is reflected as heavy to extremely heavy Rainfall intensities in Godavari river
basin leading to heavy inflow s in Godavari river which has affected with flood
inundation in parts of Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Jayasankar Bhoopalpally,
Peddapalli, Manchiryal, Mulugu, Bhadradri Kothagudem districts and also resulted
into water stagnation in other districts of Telangana State. Reports from Indian
Meteorological Department (IMD) indicate that rainfall is excess in these areas
compared to normal rainfall observed. Figure.1 shows the cumulative rainfall
measured from 10-22nd, July 2022 in parts of Godavari river basin and the catchment
of Godavari and tributaries is the order of > 300m in 12 days which has resulted into
the flooding into Godavari River.

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Figure.1. Cumulative rainfall from upstream catchment from 10-22, July 2022
(Rainfall interpolated from point gridded data over Godavari River Basin)

Figure.2. shows the status of actual rainfall during 14-20, July is higher with a
departure of 142-334% in these districts and also it is higher by 80% if its measured
across the State.

Figure.2 . Normal Rainfall and Deviation during 14-20, July 2022 in Telangana State
(Source: IMD)

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Figure3. indicates the overview of normal and actual rainfall in Telangana state and is
depicting the excess rainfall in parts of Godavari river basin in Telangana State. The
information is provided from the source:
Source : https://tsdps.telangana.gov.in/districtdata.jsp

Figure.3. Normal Rainfall and Deviation during Jun-July 2022 in Telangana State
Source : https://tsdps.telangana.gov.in/districtdata.jsp

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 Figure.3.1. Daily Rainfall during 1st Jun to 28th July 2022 over Telangana State
Source : https://tsdps.telangana.gov.in/districtdata.jsp

3. Spatial Surface Runoff analysis

Runoff Maps (current and one day forecast) of the country is computed using slope
corrected curve number grids of different AMC conditions. All India CN grid is
prepared using 250 k LULC, Soil Map from NBSS&LUP, and 30m CARTO DEM. Model
computes 5 day Antecedent Moisture condition (AMC) condition based on GPM/
IMD-GPM Merged/ GEFS (used in order, which is decided based on availability)
rainfall source data. GPM/IMD-GPM Merged/GEFS rainfall data is used for current
day runoff calculation and GEFS data is used for calculating one day forecast runoff in
the country (previous day 8:30AM to current day 8:30 AM rainfall is considered as
current day rainfall for example current date is 02-Jan-2018 then rainfall is used from
01-Jan-2018 08:30 AM to 02-Jan-2018 08:30 AM and runoff is calculated
accordingly). The runoff grids are computed and disseminated to know overall
runoff pattern across the country to assess flood situation. As these are calculated
based on satellite based rainfall. National Database for Emergency Management
(NDEM) Portal provides daily runoff at 3’x3’grid on daily basis and also one day forest
is also provided. The source for the data captured in this report is
www. ndem.nrsc.gov.in.

Continuous analysis has been made on daily and cumulative runoff which could
result into inflows into Godavari and its tributaries and the same can be observed
through the following Figure 4(a), 4(b), 4(c) and 4(c).

4
Figure. 4(a) indicates the Cumulative runoff during 10-14th, July 2022 in parts of
Godavari river basin. This is varying between in 50-150mm during the period in many
parts and is a very much critical period for saturation of soils and resulting into runoff
and flood.

Figure. 4(b) indicates the Cumulative runoff during 15-20th, July 2022 in parts of
Godavari river basin. It is observed that, there is reduction in runoff in this period
and is varying between in 35-50mm in half of the areas approximately and the rest in
the range of 50-150mm during the period and is critical period heavy increase in
floods into Godavari.

Figure. 4(c) indicates the Cumulative runoff during 11-24th, July 2022 in parts of
Godavari river basin. It is observed that, there is minimal runoff into river is varying
between in 10-25mm in most of the parts in Godavari river basin.

Figure. 4(d) indicates the Cumulative runoff during 10-24th, July 2022 in parts of
Godavari river basin. It is observed that, there is heavy cumulative runoff into river is
which is varying between in 75-150mm in most of the parts in Godavari river basin.

Figure.4(a). Cumulative runoff during 10-14th, July 2022 in parts of Godavari river basin
(Source : www. ndem.nrsc.gov.in.)

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Figure.4(b). Cumulative runoff during 15-20th, July 2022 in parts of Godavari river basin
(Source : www. ndem.nrsc.gov.in.)

Figure.4(c). Cumulative runoff during 21-24th,July 2022 in parts of Godavari river basin
(Source : www. ndem.nrsc.gov.in.)

6
 Figure.4(d). Cumulative runoff during 20-24th,July 2022 in parts of Godavari river basin
(Source : www. ndem.nrsc.gov.in.)

4. Monitoring of Water Level Gauge stations along Godavari River

CWC measures water levels at various gauge stations and provide the information
and to understand the warning and danger levels across the river. Figure 5 indicates
location of gauge points in Telangana State where in alerts are provided .

7
 Figure.5. Location of CWC Gauge Stations along Godavari river
across Telangana State (Source: CWC)

Figure 6(a) below indicate that the Water level has reached above Danger Level
(55.00m) on 11th July 22 and is raised to 59.8m till 16th July 2022 and is continued
beyond danger level Dummugudem till 17th July 2022. (Source: CWC)

8
Figure 6(b) below indicate that the Water level has reached above Danger Level
(48.50m) on 12th July 22 and is raised to 54.34m till 16th July 2022 and is continued
beyond danger level at Bhadrachalam till 19th July 2022. (Source: CWC)

Figure 6(c) below indicate that the Water level has reached above Danger Level
(105.50m) on 12th July 22 and is raised to 108.16m till 15th July 2022 and is continued
beyond danger level at Kaleshwaram till 16th July 2022.

9
Figure 6(d) below indicate that the Water level has reached above Danger Level
(161.00m) on 13th July 22 and is raised to 162.54m till 15th July 2022 and is continued
beyond danger level at Sirpur till 17th July 2022. (Source: CWC)

Figure 6(e)below indicate that the Water level has reached above Danger Level
(75.00m) on 14th July 22 and is raised to 77.10m till 15th July 2022 and is continued
beyond danger level at Eturunagaram till 16th July 2022. (Source: CWC)

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5. Satellite data planning and acquisition

Satellite data acquisition plan has been made based on the indications of flood
inundation understood through the rainfall and runoff information at grid levels and
also water levels gauge stations. The available satellite data of optical and Microwave
SAR sensors have been utilized to the best possible acquisitions from multiple
satellites.

NRSC / ISRO have activated a call on The International Charter Space and Major
Disasters for support to acquire near real time satellite datasets and for possible
interpretation of flood inundation.

The International Charter is composed of space agencies and space system operators
from around the world who work together to provide satellite imagery for disaster
monitoring purposes. The teams will find out more about the satellites the Charter
members provide, and learn more about each member agency or organization on
their websites for support to acquire satellite data and disseminate through the
Charter Website. NRSC has activated the International Charter and received multi-
mission satellite data. Satellite data is used for preparation of flood inundation maps
for larger areas and also value addition using optical datasets

5.1. List of Satellite Data Utilized

List of satellite data utilized for the study is listed in Table.1. Microwave SAR datasets
from IRS SAR, Sentinel 1A, Radarsat 2, RCM Missions, Kompsat5 have been utilized
for large area analytics at district/sub district level for generation of flood inundation
maps and reporting to the Disaster Management support organizations in near real
time. Apart from the above, several optical datasets have been received from
Pleiades, Kompsat3A, etc. and were utilized for reporting the observations in cloud
free areas.

11
 Table.1. List of satellite data used

6. Methodology Satellite based Flood Inundation Mapping and Monitoring

Role of space applications in supporting flood disaster management is important, if

the information can be provided to disaster management support organizations in
near real time. Satellite remote sensing data provides information on spatial flood
extent on a continuous basis.

Satellite data can be used at regular intervals for updation of the flood condition on
the ground in terms of flood progression, recedence and persistence.

The advantage of using radar data over the optical data is its ability to penetrate
cloud cover and also data acquisition during day and night. Water surfaces are
generally smooth at radar wavelengths and can be regarded as specular reflectors
which yield small backscatter. The surrounding terrain is assumed to be rough at
radar wavelengths which exhibits diffuse scattering with moderate backscatter.
Hence, water is regarded as low intensity areas whereas the surrounding terrain
corresponds to brighter intensities. Thresholding is the traditional method of
detecting flooding in open areas. Intensities below the threshold are regarded as
flood or open water, whereas pixels with intensities above the threshold are
regarded as dry land. The threshold will depend on the contrast between the land
and water classes, and generally needs to be set for each SAR scene. The backscatter
depends on the frequency, incidence angle, polarization and is sensitive to the
ripples on the water surface induced by wind waves.

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Before the onset of flood season, pre-flood satellite data over flood prone states are
acquired and analysed. River banklines, permanent water bodies and active river
channel are extracted using digitization tools. These datasets and layers will be used
as master data sets for further analysis. Detailed steps are as follows. The raw
satellite data during floods will be geometrically co-registered with the respective
state masters for positional accuracy. These rectified data sets are considered as
master data sets for that particular year. Classification is performed to extract water
bodies from the image.

In case of optical data, unsupervised classification will be performed giving maximum

number of classes and main active river channel, its tributaries and permanent water
bodies are classified and converted into vector format. Enhancement techniques are
used for increase contrast between the features in the image. On-screen digitization
techniques are used for delineation of river banklines from the image in GIS
environment and after post editing, the final layer is stored in vector format. In case
of microwave data, back scattering image (Sigma nought) is generated and water
bodies are extracted using variable threshold technique model. State mask, hill mask,
hill shadow mask are applied on the extracted water layer. Further, stray water pixels
are separated by grouping and removing them. Flow chart of methodology for pre-
flood data preparation is shown in Figure.8 . Flow chart of methodology for flood
delineation from satellite data is shown in Figure.9

Figure.7. Methodology for Pre-flood data preparation

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 Figure.8. Methodology for flood mapping and Monitoring

7. Flood Inundation Mapping and Monitoring

Analysis of multi-temporal satellite data of flood affected districts indicated that

there are two categories flood inundation viz. (1) Riverine Flooding – Flood
inundation due to overflow of water due to water levels beyond danger and high
flood levels and ; (2) Rain induced flooding – This may represent the fields with
standing water / fields interpreted as moist in microwave satellite data. The
distinction could not be made due to the lack of acquisition of cloud free optical
data. In general, Microwave satellite data acquisition is only one feasibility during
high rainfall events and flooding scenarios.

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7.1. Analysis of Flood Inundation areas

Godavari River is shown in Table.2. A Total of ~ 81197Ha is under flood inundation in

6 districts namely, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Mancherial, mulugu, peddapalli, komaram
bheem, Jayashankar Bhoopalpally. It is observed that the Bhadradri Kothagudem is more
affected during this flood event Most of its area is along the river reaches and most
of it is receded by 24th July 2022. (Figure.10)

The high spatial Indian remote sensing microwave satellite data is acquired on 16th
Jul 2022 (1800Hrs) Is shown in Figure. 11 for Bhadrachalam town, where in flooding
is seen clearly surrounding Godavari river reach and surrounding Bhadrachalam.

Table.2. List of districts affected due to riverine flooding of Godavari River in

Telangana State
Area affected due to
S. No. DISTRICT Flood Inundated (ha)
1BHADRADRI KOTHAGUDEM 21140
2MANCHERIAL 14303
3MULUGU 13669
4KOMARAM BHEEM 12785
JAYASHANKAR
5 Bhoopalapally 11959
6 PEDDAPALLE 7341
TOTAL 81197

Table.3. List of districts affected due to riverine flooding of Godavari River and also
rain induced floods in Telangana State

Area Under Rain

Total Area
S. Inundated Inundation /
DISTRICT Inundated
No. Area (ha) Standing Water
(ha)
etc. (ha)
BHADRADRI
1 KOTHAGUDEM 21140 29654 50794
4 MANCHERIAL 14303 18165 32468
3 MULUGU 13669 18570 32238
5 KOMARAM BHEEM 12785 17954 30739
JAYASHANKAR
6 BHOOPALPALLY 11959 16615 28575
8 PEDDAPALLE 7341 15293 22633
TOTAL 81197 116251 197477

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Figure.9. Cumulative flood inundation map during 14th-24th July 2022

16
Figure.10. High resolution Satellite image showing IRS SAR data as on
16th July 2022(1800Hrs)

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7.2. View of Flood inundation areas at district level

Satellite data sets acquired during 14th July 2022 to 24th July have been interpreted
and cumulative flood inundation maps were prepared and presented in
Figures.12(a), 12(b), 12(c), 12(d), 12 (e), 12(f) representing Flood inundation maps in
6 districts of Telangana State where in satellite based analysis has been conducted.

Figure.11(a) Satellite derived Cumulative Flood Inundation Map

in Bhadradri Kothagudem district

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Figure.11(b) Satellite derived Cumulative Flood Inundation Map in Manchiryal
district

Figure.11(c) Satellite derived Cumulative Flood Inundation Map

in Mulugu district

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Figure.11(d) Satellite derived Cumulative Flood Inundation Map
in Komaram Bheem district

Figure.11(e) Satellite derived Cumulative Flood Inundation Map

in Jayashankar Bhoopalpally district

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Figure.11(f) Satellite derived Cumulative Flood Inundation Map
in Peddaplle district

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However, the stagnated water in urban area could be assessed due to lack of high
resolution satellite data post the event. (Figure13)

Figure.12. View of Optical Image from Pleiades (Top image) & Microwave IRS SAR
(Bottom Image) data showing the areas after the recession of the flood

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7.3. Monitoring of Flood scenario on 27.07.2022

IRS SAR has been acquired on 27th July 2022 for identification of Flood inundation
along the Godavari river. It is observed that, there is no major flood inundation
patches observed and it appear that the flood is receded as on 27 th, July 2022 and
ther could be some patches in urban areas which might be still under water
stagnation which could be delineated with the help of this image,

Overview of Godavari river passing through Telangana State is shown in the

Figure.14.

Figure.13. View of IRS SAR Image showing part of Godavari river passing through
Telangana State as on 27th July 2022

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8. Dissemination to State / Central Disaster Management Organisations

8.1 List of Offices through - Through Email

1 MHA 1. Joint Secretary, NDM, Ministry of Home Affairs, North Block, New
Delhi.
2. NDM control Room, Ministry of Home Affairs, North Block, New
Delhi
3. Director, DM-III, NDM, Ministry of Home Affairs, North Block, New
Delhi.
2 NDMA 1. Vice Chairman, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA),
New Delhi
2. Control Room, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA),
New Delhi
3 NODAL 1. Chairman, Central Water Commission, Sewa Bhavan, R K PURAM,
MINISTR New Delhi
IES 2. ADGM (H & A), India Meteorological Department, Mausam Bhavan,
New Delhi
4 STATE 1. Telangana State Remote Sensing Application Centre (TRAC)
2. Director General, Telangana State Disaster Response & Fire Services
3. Director, Telangana State Fire Services & Civil Defence Training
Institute
4. Addl. Director, Telangana State Disaster Response & Fire Services
5. Dy. Director, Telangana State Fire Services & Civil Defence Training
Institute
5 ISRO/ 1. Director, EDPO, ISRO Head Quarters, Antariksha Bhavan, New BEL
Road, Bangalore-560094. (e-mail)
DOS 2. Programme Director, EDPO, ISRO Head Quarters, Antariksha Bhavan,
New BEL Road, Bangalore-560094. (e-mail)
3. Associate Director, EDPO, ISRO Head Quarters, Antariksha Bhavan,
New BEL Road, Bangalore-560094. (e-mail)
6 NRSC 1. Group Head, DMSG, NRSC
2. Deputy Director (RSA) & PD, RRES
3. Associate Director, NRSC
4. Director, NRSC

8.2. Dissemination of Information through Email and Web Portals

NRSC disseminated the maps and GIS and value added images to the following
distribution List and also uploaded GIS layers in ISRO Bhuvan Portal, National
Database for Emergency Management (NDEM) portal for further visualisation of the
current and historic flood information along with legacy layers and analytics.

24
https://ndem.nrsc.gov.in

Click on Near Real Time Flood Layers

25
Select State

Select Date of Flood Map for visualisation

Bhuvan Geoportal can be used for visualisation of the flood layers

https://bhuvan-app1.nrsc.gov.in/disaster/disaster.php?id=flood

*****
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Annexure-1: View of Reaches along Godavari River during Pre & Post Flood
scenario in the affected districts

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