China

Advancements in multi-hazard modelling are rapidly reshaping how we anticipate and respond to complex disaster scenarios. Dr. van den Bout underscores that while cutting-edge innovations have expanded our understanding of cascading impacts—from earthquakes triggering tsunamis to storms igniting landslides—persistent model uncertainties and patchy data threaten the reliability of truly integrated systems. He argues that only through close collaboration—melding the strengths of researchers, forecasters, and local experts—can we build the operational, resilient tools communities need. Capturing data during rare, destructive events remains a formidable hurdle, but embracing both foundational research and unconventional, “out-of-the-box” approaches will be vital to surmount these obstacles. Bringing multi-hazard disaster management from theory to practice hinges on precise model calibration, something that often demands boots-on-the-ground expertise and tailored field studies. Space-borne technologies—satellite imagery for landscape mapping and retrospective event analysis—play a growing role in refining water-related hazard forecasts, yet they must be complemented by detailed regional insights and rich observational datasets. For those eager to dive into flood modelling, online courses and math communicators offer accessible entry points. Beyond his technical pursuits, Dr. van den Bout credits a lifelong love of programming and video games for inspiring creative experimentation, reminding us that true innovation flourishes when we carve out time for curiosity—whether swimming in his favorite liquid state of water with family or scouring the internet for fresh data.

Sawaid Abbas, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Geographical Information System, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan discussed his extensive work in addressing water-related challenges through the nexus between smart sensing and space technologies. His thematic focus spans water scarcity, food security, climate risks, and environmental monitoring with an emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region, including Pakistan and China. Key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) guiding his work include SDG2 (Zero Hunger), SDG13 (Climate Action), SDG15 (Life on Land), and SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).  Abbas's passion for water emerged during his early career at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), where he was involved in Pakistan’s Wetland Program and witnessed the impact of water on associated ecosystems. This sparked his interest in understanding and managing water, forestry, and wildlife resources. He recently studied coastal ecosystems and their responses to climate and anthropogenic stressors in the Asia-Pacific region. The Living Indus – Investing in Ecological Restoration has become a new focus of interest for him, addressing sustainability challenges related to food security, river basin management, and efficient water use in alignment with the UN Decade of Ocean objectives.  Abbas shared his fascination with water, recognizing its complex and essential nature. He is captivated by its beauty in all forms and acknowledges its fundamental importance for life on Earth. This water connection further motivates his commitment to addressing global water challenges and promoting sustainable water use through innovative solutions.  Sawaid Abbas's work, stimulated by both professional commitment and personal fascination, stresses the critical role of space technologies, particularly earth observation, smart sensing nexus, and artificial intelligence in addressing water-related challenges. His research contributes to the development of innovative solutions for sustainable water use, environmental protection, and disaster response, aligning with global goals for a more resilient and water-secure future. 

Analysts have long noted that extreme precipitation appears to intensify with temperature at a rate of around 7%/°C, which is governed by the Clausius-Clapeyron (CC) equation. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the spatio-temporal properties of hourly precipitation and daily dew point temperature. Specifically, the global gridded products of bias-corrected Climate Prediction Center morphing technique (CMORPH-CRT) and ERA5 reanalysis were applied for nine locations in the world. The results show that significant spatial heterogeneity in extreme precipitation scaling is present at the selected locations, which might be attributed to local conditions, such as regional climate and the proximity to humidity sources. Despite the potential limitations, this study provides insight into the application of high-resolution open-access global gridded products in analysing precipitation scaling.

Translated by: Isabel Zetina 

El 2 de febrero de 2020 celebramos el Día Mundial de los Humedales para concienciar al mundo sobre el papel vital de los humedales para las personas y nuestro planeta. La edición de este año destaca la conexión entre el agua, los humedales y la vida.

The article discusses the use of space technology for the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus. The nexus was formed to address issues surrounding the increasing demand for water, energy and food. Drivers of the nexus are, for example, an increasing population, urbanisation and economic development. The article aims to demonstrate the inclusive solutions and initiatives from organisations such as United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Group on Earth Observations (GEO). Globally available data for the nexus and especially data from satellite remote sensing are discussed. Several case studies for finding solutions related to the nexus are examined. The case studies discuss hydrological modelling, water scarcity, irrigation practices and crop monitoring. The Global Land Evaporation Amsterdam Model dataset and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer instrument are used in these case studies. Satellite remote sensing products for the example case of the variable soil moisture are examined. Some of the leading missions for soil moisture are National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) and European Space Agency (ESA) Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS). The article mentions NASA Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On (GRACE-FO) missions, as well as ESA Climate Change Initiative (CCI) programme. Future work aims at an integrated approach and at achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Urban waterlogging is an increasingly critical challenge particularly in cities where unplanned development, climate change, and inadequate drainage systems exacerbate the issue. Remote sensing provides a viable solution for detecting and managing urban waterlogging by providing real time and large-scale monitoring capabilities. Using satellite datasets such as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), multispectral imaging, and thermal sensors urban planners can assess and monitor waterlogging. These datasets coupled with advanced algorithms like machine learning models allow for accurate predictions of waterlogged areas in the cities. Besides, the integration of these remote sensing tools with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) enhances the ability to manage water resources and develop sustainable urban infrastructures. Despite challenges such as data resolution and high costs of advanced imagery, remote sensing remains a key tool in addressing the socio-economic and environmental impacts of urban waterlogging, particularly in the face of climate change and urbanization.

Sawaid Abbas, Assistant Professor at the Centre for Geographical Information System, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan discussed his extensive work in addressing water-related challenges through the nexus between smart sensing and space technologies. His thematic focus spans water scarcity, food security, climate risks, and environmental monitoring with an emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region, including Pakistan and China. Key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) guiding his work include SDG2 (Zero Hunger), SDG13 (Climate Action), SDG15 (Life on Land), and SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).  Abbas's passion for water emerged during his early career at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), where he was involved in Pakistan’s Wetland Program and witnessed the impact of water on associated ecosystems. This sparked his interest in understanding and managing water, forestry, and wildlife resources. He recently studied coastal ecosystems and their responses to climate and anthropogenic stressors in the Asia-Pacific region. The Living Indus – Investing in Ecological Restoration has become a new focus of interest for him, addressing sustainability challenges related to food security, river basin management, and efficient water use in alignment with the UN Decade of Ocean objectives.  Abbas shared his fascination with water, recognizing its complex and essential nature. He is captivated by its beauty in all forms and acknowledges its fundamental importance for life on Earth. This water connection further motivates his commitment to addressing global water challenges and promoting sustainable water use through innovative solutions.  Sawaid Abbas's work, stimulated by both professional commitment and personal fascination, stresses the critical role of space technologies, particularly earth observation, smart sensing nexus, and artificial intelligence in addressing water-related challenges. His research contributes to the development of innovative solutions for sustainable water use, environmental protection, and disaster response, aligning with global goals for a more resilient and water-secure future. 

Advancements in multi-hazard modelling are rapidly reshaping how we anticipate and respond to complex disaster scenarios. Dr. van den Bout underscores that while cutting-edge innovations have expanded our understanding of cascading impacts—from earthquakes triggering tsunamis to storms igniting landslides—persistent model uncertainties and patchy data threaten the reliability of truly integrated systems. He argues that only through close collaboration—melding the strengths of researchers, forecasters, and local experts—can we build the operational, resilient tools communities need. Capturing data during rare, destructive events remains a formidable hurdle, but embracing both foundational research and unconventional, “out-of-the-box” approaches will be vital to surmount these obstacles. Bringing multi-hazard disaster management from theory to practice hinges on precise model calibration, something that often demands boots-on-the-ground expertise and tailored field studies. Space-borne technologies—satellite imagery for landscape mapping and retrospective event analysis—play a growing role in refining water-related hazard forecasts, yet they must be complemented by detailed regional insights and rich observational datasets. For those eager to dive into flood modelling, online courses and math communicators offer accessible entry points. Beyond his technical pursuits, Dr. van den Bout credits a lifelong love of programming and video games for inspiring creative experimentation, reminding us that true innovation flourishes when we carve out time for curiosity—whether swimming in his favorite liquid state of water with family or scouring the internet for fresh data.