Bałdysz et al. (2025) Detecting Localized Floods in Tropical Regions With CYGNSS SmallSat Constellation: A Proof of Concept From the Maritime Continent

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Identification

• Journal: Geophysical Research Letters
• Year: 2025
• Date: 2025-10-15
• Authors: Zofia Bałdysz, Dariusz B. Baranowski, Piotr J. Flatau, Maria Flatau, Clara Chew
• DOI: 10.1029/2025gl118111

## Research Groups -

Short Summary

This study demonstrates a novel methodology utilizing CYGNSS SmallSat data to detect and monitor small- to regional-scale flooding events in Sumatra, identifying key parameters for flood detection to improve risk assessment and forecasting in tropical regions.

Objective

• To develop and validate a methodology using CYGNSS SmallSat data for identifying and monitoring small- to regional-scale flooding events in Sumatra, aiming to enhance flood risk assessment and forecasting in tropical regions.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Small- to regional-scale flooding events in Sumatra, with potential scalability to the global tropics.
• Temporal Scale: Captures flood evolution, with detection observed 1 day after an event, and potential for long-term, near-real-time monitoring.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: A methodology based on CYGNSS-derived inundation data analysis, identifying an inundation anomaly threshold and maximum observation distance for flood detection.
• Data sources: CYGNSS SmallSat constellation data; 555 historical flood records in Sumatra for comprehensive analysis and validation.

Main Results

• CYGNSS-derived inundation data effectively capture the evolution of floods, detecting increased inundation near flood locations 1 day after an event.
• Key parameters for flood detection were identified: an inundation anomaly threshold of 0.1 and a maximum distance of 15 kilometers between observations and a flood location.
• The developed approach shows promise for enhancing flood risk assessment and forecasting, particularly benefiting tropical populations.

Contributions

• Provides a novel, low-cost, and scalable methodology for flood detection and near-real-time monitoring across the global tropics using CYGNSS SmallSat data.
• Addresses the critical issue of sparse reliable flood data in tropical regions.
• Identifies specific, data-driven parameters for effective flood detection using satellite-derived inundation data.

## Funding -

Citation

@article{Bałdysz2025Detecting,
  author = {Bałdysz, Zofia and Baranowski, Dariusz B. and Flatau, Piotr J. and Flatau, Maria and Chew, Clara},
  title = {Detecting Localized Floods in Tropical Regions With CYGNSS SmallSat Constellation: A Proof of Concept From the Maritime Continent},
  journal = {Geophysical Research Letters},
  year = {2025},
  doi = {10.1029/2025gl118111},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1029/2025gl118111}
}