Morshed et al. (2026) Historical Evolution of Flood Forecasting: From Ancient Observations to AI and Citizen Science-Driven Systems

Identification

• Journal: Lecture notes in civil engineering
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-01-01
• Authors: Mohammad Ataul Morshed, Mohammad A. Alim, Ataur Rahman
• DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-18708-6_28

Research Groups

• School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia

Short Summary

This literature review traces the historical evolution of flood forecasting, from ancient observational methods to modern AI-integrated systems, highlighting technological advancements and their impact on prediction accuracy.

Objective

• To trace the historical development of flood forecasting methodologies through distinct chronological periods, examining technological breakthroughs and their impact on prediction accuracy, and to synthesize current research on AI applications, satellite-based monitoring systems, and community-based approaches.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Global (reviewing methods and technologies applicable worldwide).
• Temporal Scale: Historical, spanning from ancient civilizations to contemporary and future systems (AI, citizen science).

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Not applicable; this is a literature review that discusses various hydrological models and AI applications for flood forecasting.
• Data sources: Not applicable; this is a literature review that synthesizes information from existing scientific literature, discussing the use of satellite remote sensing, observational data, and citizen science data in flood forecasting.

Main Results

• Flood forecasting has undergone a significant evolution from localized, experience-based methods to sophisticated, data-driven systems.
• Modern flood prediction capabilities are enhanced by integrating multiple information sources, including artificial intelligence (AI), satellite remote sensing, advanced hydrological modeling, and citizen science.
• The trajectory of flood forecasting demonstrates a clear progression towards more accurate, comprehensive, and integrated prediction systems.

Contributions

• Provides a comprehensive historical overview of flood forecasting, detailing its evolution from ancient observational techniques to contemporary advanced systems.
• Synthesizes the impact of technological breakthroughs, including AI, satellite monitoring, and citizen science, on flood prediction accuracy.
• Highlights the shift towards integrated, data-driven approaches for enhanced flood forecasting capabilities.

Funding

• Not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

Citation

@article{Morshed2026Historical,
  author = {Morshed, Mohammad Ataul and Alim, Mohammad A. and Rahman, Ataur},
  title = {Historical Evolution of Flood Forecasting: From Ancient Observations to AI and Citizen Science-Driven Systems},
  journal = {Lecture notes in civil engineering},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1007/978-3-032-18708-6_28},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-18708-6_28}
}