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KIRa-Berg
AI- and Radar-based integrated flood management system in the Bergisches Land
This page was translated from German using artificial intelligence. The translation may contain errors or inaccuracies. In case of doubt, the German original version prevails.
Flood Protection in the Bergisches Land: Innovative Early Warning System in the KIRa-Berg Project
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Real-time analyses
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What-if simulations
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Flood forecasts
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Short-term & long-term planning of protective measures
New weather radar data and an AI model are intended to increase lead times for flood events for specialist authorities, control centers, fire brigade operation command, and crisis teams, as well as the population. The goal of the "KIRa-Berg" project is to develop an integrated flood management system that supports the early detection of flood hazards and promotes the planning and implementation of effective protective measures. To achieve this, two X-band radar devices will be installed to complement and refine the weather data of the German Weather Service. An AI model will utilize these radar data and other already available precipitation and water data to present split-second simulations of flood scenarios and evaluate the effectiveness of protective measures.
Project idea of the cooperation "Flood Prevention at Agger and Wupper" (ÜVAW)
The project idea was developed within the cooperation “Flood Prevention at Agger and Wupper” (ÜVAW). The cooperation was established in January 2023 as a collaboration between the districts of Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis, Oberbergischer Kreis, Rhein-Sieg-Kreis , and Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis, the cities of Leverkusen, Remscheid, Solingen, and Wuppertal in collaboration with the water associations Aggerverband and Wupperverband.
Project within the framework of REGIONALE 2025 Bergisches RheinLand
The project "KIRa-Berg" takes place within the framework of REGIONALE 2025 Bergisches RheinLand under the funding call "The Best of Both Worlds – Climate Adaptation at Local and Regional Levels" and contributes to the early detection of flood hazards and the coordinated implementation of effective measures both during acute events and within the scope of long-term planning processes.
Cooperation partners and their tasks
The project “KIRa-Berg” is a joint initiative of the following project partners:
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Oberbergischer Kreis, representing the ÜVAW cooperation
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University of Bonn
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TH Köln
The Oberbergischer Kreis is responsible for project coordination and procurement of the radar devices and the AI model.
The Radar Polarimetry Working Group of the University of Bonn will process the innovative X-band radar data so that it can be integrated into the DWD data system and utilized for the AI model.
TH Köln, through the Institute for Rescue Engineering and Hazard Prevention (IRG), will develop communication and information management and support the development of the planned digital information platform to ensure real-time information flow during emergencies for both the population and disaster response teams.
Planning and Implementation
The implementation period extends from September 1, 2026, to February 28, 2029. Currently, the procurement of weather radar devices and the AI model is being organized. The radar devices are expected to be installed and operational by the middle of next year. The AI model is anticipated to enable initial simulations by the end of next year and will be continuously fine-tuned throughout the project period until early 2029.
Funding
The project has a total budget of approximately 1.91 million euros. After a successful application process, a funding notice was issued from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) . The funding amounts to 80% and is provided by the European Union and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
