IIT Kanpur’s SIIC and NTT DATA Launch Advanced Urban Flood Response System with TerrAqua UAV

Kanpur, 20 May 2025| TerrAqua UAV Solutions Private Limited, an incubated startup at the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), IIT Kanpur, has launched a sophisticated urban flood disaster response system. The initiative is supported by NTT DATA, a global leader in digital and technology services, under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program and is a significant step toward climate-resilient urban planning.

The project revolves around a Web-GIS platform that integrates high-resolution data from drone-based aerial surveys and satellite remote sensing. This system enables precise flood mapping, inundation simulations, and population impact assessments, empowering decision-makers with actionable insights. The pilot covered 24 flood-prone villages near the Ganga Barrage, collecting granular data crucial for proactive disaster planning and emergency response.

The officials from Irrigation Department Uttar Pradesh and Kanpur Development Authority attended this event. They spoke very highly about the project which is launched under Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), IIT Kanpur. Officials commented that this project, if upscaled, could prove to be very meaningful in predicting flood inundation and development of early warning system. They added that it will also greatly assist in town planning in terms of mapping the flood risk areas and assessing the possible risk to infrastructure and population.

“The project launched at IIT Kanpur will prove highly beneficial for the region. It utilizes both drone and satellite technologies to enhance flood response efforts. With the help of this system, it will be possible to detect potential flooding early, allowing for timely measures that can prevent large-scale damage,” said Kanpur Commissioner K. Vijyendra Pandian. He stressed the need to upscaling this project to Kanpur district and to the entire UP in future, keeping view that several districts of UP are extremely flood-prone. He emphasized that such a technology driven initiative by TerrAqua is timely and critical for sustainable development in the region and this initiative is especially valuable for farmers as it can help protect crops from flood-related losses. Commissioner Pandian also emphasized that this project is a praiseworthy step by IIT Kanpur and will play a significant role in strengthening disaster preparedness in Uttar Pradesh in the future.

“SIIC is committed to empowering deep-tech startups like TerrAqua UAV. Their success reflects how strategic collaborations with industry leaders such as NTT DATA can help translate innovative technologies into meaningful solutions for society,” said Mr. Anurag Singh, CEO, SIIC, IIT Kanpur.

“Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of natural disasters like floods, especially in urban centers. Through this CSR collaboration with IIT Kanpur and TerrAqua UAV, we aim to support smarter governance and safer communities,” said Gauri Bahulkar, Senior Director, Global Corporate Social Responsibility, NTT DATA.

“Our platform makes geospatial intelligence accessible for real-time flood response. This collaboration with NTT DATA has allowed us to develop a scalable, real-time flood management framework, combining UAV and satellite inputs into an intuitive decision-support system,” said Prof. Rajiv Sinha, Founder of TerrAqua UAV and Professor at IIT Kanpur.

A live demonstration of the geospatial dashboard was held during the launch event at IIT Kanpur’s PBCEC. The event was attended by civic administrators, municipal officers, researchers, and community leaders. The platform is specifically designed to assist city administrators, disaster response teams, and planning agencies in real-time flood mitigation efforts.

This partnership leverages the power of academia, industry, and innovation to drive impactful, sustainable solutions for climate resilience. By enhancing flood preparedness and response capabilities, the initiative empowers communities, government agencies, and city planners with tools to build safer urban environments.