LoRa Early Warning Flood Detection System (2021 Spring)
The Challenge
Every year, Nepal faces catastrophic seasonal flooding during the monsoon, particularly in the Terai region. Local organizations had developed water sensors but lacked the technical knowledge to transmit this critical data to distant villages in a timely manner, which is essential for successful evacuations.
Our Solution
A group of students developed a Long Range (LoRa) 2.4GHz mesh network to transmit river level readings from remote sensors to community gateways. The system uses a Raspberry Pi gateway and Arduino-based repeaters to achieve a reliable communication range of 25 km while operating entirely on sustainable solar power.
How It Works
Due to local legislation, the LoRa network must function on the 2.4GHz frequency band. The project applied a mesh topology to ensure the system is modular and scalable; this allows any node within range of another to connect automatically, which is vital for navigating Nepal’s rugged and mountainous landscape.
The Outcome
This robust warning system allows communities and authorities to receive real-time data on rising water levels. By providing advanced notice, the system helps save thousands of lives and protects property in flood-prone areas.