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Multi-Hazard Early Warning System with Hydrometeorological Network

Solution Overview

Georgia has experienced repeated extreme flooding events in recent years, prompting the development of modern monitoring equipment and detailed hazard and risk maps as the foundation for a new multi-hazard early warning system.[1] A feasibility study identified locations for installing observation equipment to create an observation network of meteorological and hydrological parameters in the Mtkvari River Basin for fluvial flood monitoring and across the city for surface water and pluvial flood monitoring.[4] This approach addresses the flash floods and mudflows occurring on small rivers as a result of heavy rains that impact various parts of Tbilisi, causing heavy damage and human casualties.[2]

Technical Components

The observation network will comprise more than 140 observation devices to be purchased and installed as part of a significantly expanded hydrometeorological observation network.[7] For quality data processing and storage, a high-performance computer was purchased for the National Environment Agency, which has been operating since 2021.[5] The monitoring infrastructure targets both the Mtkvari River Basin for fluvial flood monitoring and city-wide locations for surface water and pluvial flood monitoring.[4] The Municipality initiated various infrastructure projects in the affected area following the 2015 flood, including river monitoring systems.[4]

Implementation Details

The Multi Hazard Risk Assessment & Early Warning System is being implemented by the Italy–Georgia Bilateral funded project through the National Environment Agency at the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.[4] UNDP and the Government of Georgia, with funding from the Green Climate Fund, Swiss and Swedish governments are implementing a 7-year programme dedicated to reducing the risk of climate-driven disasters in Georgia with an overall budget of US$74 million.[5] The programme comprises Scaling-up Multi-Hazard Early Warning System and the Use of Climate Information in Georgia with US$27 million in funding from the Green Climate Fund.[5] The MHEWS project started in December 2018 and has an end date of July 2025, receiving total contributions of $31,843,756 from Green Climate Fund and Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation.[3] The design and introduction of MHEWS covers all 11 river basins of Georgia.[3] Tbilisi City Hall and NEA secured technical and financial assistance from IFIs to conduct risk assessment and early warning system feasibility studies, with implementation planned for Medium Term 2022-2025.[4] An earlier flood mitigation assessment project in Tbilisi had a budget range of $200-250k, with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture serving as the National Designated Entity and HYDROC Environment and Development as implementor.[2] The flood risk management plan for the Vere River basin is assigned to Tbilisi City Hall and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture with a timeline of 2020-2025 and an estimated cost of 20,000,000 GEL.[6]

Benefits and Impacts

The observation network provides the foundation for a new multi-hazard early warning system designed to address repeated extreme flooding events.[1] A technology transfer project in Tbilisi included recommendations for eventual establishment of regular hydro-meteorological observations and monitoring as part of flood mitigation measures.[2] The flood risk management plan for the Vere River basin includes a combination of structural and non-structural measures, such as the construction of flood defenses, the restoration of the river channel, and the implementation of an early warning system.[6]

Climate Adaptation Relevance

This monitoring network directly addresses flash floods and mudflows occurring on small rivers as a result of heavy rains that impact various parts of Tbilisi, causing heavy damage and human casualties.[2] The system targets both fluvial flooding from the Mtkvari River Basin and surface water and pluvial flooding across the city.[4] The multi-hazard early warning system provides critical infrastructure for reducing the risk of climate-driven disasters in Georgia.[5]

Business Analysis

The implementation demonstrates diverse financing mechanisms, with the MHEWS project receiving $31,843,756 from Green Climate Fund and Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation.[3] The broader programme secured US$74 million from UNDP, the Government of Georgia, Green Climate Fund, and Swiss and Swedish governments.[5] The Italy–Georgia Bilateral funded project provides additional support through the National Environment Agency.[4] Tbilisi City Hall and NEA secured technical and financial assistance from international financial institutions to conduct risk assessment and early warning system feasibility studies.[4] The flood risk management plan for the Vere River basin represents a 20,000,000 GEL investment from 2020-2025.[6] Earlier feasibility work operated at a smaller scale with a budget range of $200-250k.[2]

Sources