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Climate Gambit: Chinese team develops ‘super brain’ to guide flood precautions using weather, hydraulic and terrain data_我的网站

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    Students from Xi'an University of Technology test a virtual reality-enabled emergency evacuation simulation system tailored for flood disasters on January 12, 2024. Photos: Courtesy of Xi'an University of TechnologyEditor's Note:
Extreme weather is increasingly a global challenge, and the key to addressing climate risks lies in earlier prediction, more precise action and smarter preparedness, with emerging technologies playing a vital role. The Global Times launches the "Climate Gambit" series, exploring how research teams are leveraging cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and smart observation systems, to anticipate weather changes, enhance disaster early-warning and strengthen resilience against climate risks.
Inside a state key laboratory at Xi'an University of Technology, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, there is a miniature but complete "water world" which simulated water channels, inland lakes and main rivers to recreate real flood scenarios and test their newly developed GPU Accelerated Surface Water Flow and Transport Model (GAST).
Known as a "super brain" for flood control, GAST can complete flood simulations involving more than 3 million computational units within 30 seconds, helping transform flood management from a reaction to emergency into active precautions since "flooding impacts can be predicted even before rainfall arrives."
At a time when extreme rainfall and summer flooding have become increasingly frequent, questions such as when the flooding will arrive, which roads may be submerged and when residents should evacuate have become increasingly important.
In an exclusive interview with the Global Times, Hou Jingming, a professor at Xi'an University of Technology and the leader of the research team, explained how the GAST model seeks to answer these questions by accurately predicting flood development and identifying vulnerable areas before disasters occur, and how the model helps authorities take preventive measures to reduce casualties and economic losses.
AI empowering 'flood drill'  
The water tank system in the lab was designed to create a controllable, repeatable and observable environment to simulate complex hydrological processes, including river flooding, urban water level changes, lake regulation, drainage pump operations and coordinated flood-control measures.
By adjusting variations such as upstream water inflow, rainfall intensity, downstream water levels and drainage conditions, scientists can recreate different flood scenarios. Meanwhile, water levels, flow speeds and other data are collected in real time and displayed on a digital twin platform.
"If a rainstorm and corresponding floods are an exam, GAST is like a 'drill,'" Hou said. "It can simulate how floods develop, where water will flow, which areas may be inundated and when river levels may rise, ensuring authorities are well but not overly prepared."
To answer the public's concern about "whether my neighborhood will be flooded when heavy rain arrives," the team developed new algorithms for urban surface water flow, including improvements in terrain slope and friction calculations.
These breakthroughs have improved simulation accuracy in complex urban environments. Compared with extensive monitoring data, GAST can keep simulation errors of key hydrodynamic factors within 15 percent. This means the model can provide not only general flood trends, but also quantitative information such as water depth, flow speed and inundation areas.
Combined with AI technologies, it can identify complex relationships between rainfall, water conditions, flood depth, flow velocity and affected areas, cutting simulations from hours in traditional methods to minutes or even seconds.
The faster calculation capability means that once meteorological authorities update forecasts, the model can quickly estimate flood risks in different parts of a city. 
"The earlier rainfall warnings are issued, the earlier we can identify potential flooding hotspots and high-risk areas," Hou said. "This saves valuable time for evacuation, traffic management and emergency deployment."
For smarter disaster response

Building an accurate flood prediction model also requires integrating large amounts of urban data other than weather forecasts, including urban terrain, drainage networks and infrastructure information.
For example, a model developed for Xi'an incorporates geographic data and drainage system information collected from relevant authorities and field surveys. After receiving rainfall forecasts, the system can quickly calculate possible flooding scenarios, showing when and where waterlogging may occur and highlighting vulnerable roads and areas through visual maps.
To demonstrate how the super brain works in case of possible flooding, the laboratory has set a virtual reality area where visitors can experience a simulated urban flooding evacuation in the Xiaozhai area of Xi'an. Wearing VR headsets, participants can see water levels gradually rising and follow emergency instructions to move toward higher ground.
The entire technological package has already been applied in real-world flood prevention.
    A 3D live-scene display lab in Xi'an that oversees stormwater drainage performance in Hengshui, North China's Hebei Province Photos: Courtesy of Xi'an University of Technology
During Typhoon Muifa in 2022, Haishu district in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang Province, recorded a regional rainfall of 367 millimeters. Using GAST as its core technology, the local flood forecasting platform integrated weather forecasts, AI algorithms and real-time monitoring data to provide rolling three-hour flood risk predictions.
Post-event assessments showed that predicted risks at most locations matched actual flooding conditions. The average relative error between predicted and observed maximum water depths was 13 percent.
The GAST model was also integrated into a smart rain and flood management platform in Qinhan new city area in Xianyang of Shaanxi, and during a rainstorm warning in July 2022, the platform provided continuous monitoring and forecasts. Based on the results, local authorities shifted from routine inspections to targeted monitoring of flood-prone areas and optimized emergency drainage operations.
The model is also being applied to mountain torrent prevention, as it can simulate rapidly changing flows in complex terrain and, combined with machine learning, complete forecasts within seconds. For reservoirs and rivers, it supports sudden and gradual dam-break simulations.
In June 2026, the model was presented at a national symposium on flood risk mapping achievements. The technology has since been applied by water resources, emergency management and urban development authorities, expanding from Shaanxi to multiple provinces and regions across China.
Looking ahead, the research team is developing a framework that further keeps up with the pace focusing on AI technologies. "Currently, the system operates based on weather forecast, therefore, AI will increase efficiency by using historical cases and real-time monitoring data to correct errors and update forecasts dynamically," Hou said.
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二 |     在当今国际局势动荡的背景下，不同国家间的军事合作日益重要。尤其是在空军领域，各国不仅重视武器装备的先进性，更注重作战理念与战术体系的交流。正是在这样的潮流下，中埃“文明之鹰-2026”联训悄然展开。此举无疑为埃及空军提供了一个深刻理解中国空中作战体系的契机，同时也彰显了两国日益深化的军事合作关系。    8月24日，中国空军公布了此次联训的首日画面，令人震惊的是，埃及空军不仅派出了已往常参与训练的米格-29M2战机，还首次亮相了他们的震撼之作——阵风战机。这一选择并非偶然，因为阵风战机是当前埃及空军实力的象征，也是它们现代化进程的重要里程碑。        回顾2015年，埃及与法国签署了价值59亿美元的阵风采购合同，情境犹如经典的航空史剧。仅仅几年的时间，埃及便迅速构建起了54架阵风战机的强大舰队，成为全球第二大阵风用户，这不仅展示了埃及在空军现代化道路上的决心，更体现了与西方国家的紧密联系。

三 |     这场联合演习的真正看点在于阵风战机如何与中国的歼-16展开较量。

四 | 首先，从雷达技术来看，阵风F3R搭载的RBE2-AA有源相控阵雷达虽然在探测能力上不及歼-16的PESA雷达，但也不乏其独到之处。阵风虽然对中型战斗机的探测距离为145公里，但它的多功能性和多任务能力使其在近距空战中具备优势。    歼-16作为重型双发多用途战斗机，在超视距空战的表现令人瞩目。其雷达的探测范围轻松超过240公里，这一巨大差距意味着歼-16能够在敌方雷达的盲区内快速锁定目标，并采取行动。在武器搭载方面，歼-16可挂载多达10枚空空导弹，其中PL-15导弹的射程超过200公里，让阵风在面对其时陷入被动。        电子战能力上，双方各有千秋。歼-16凭借其大阵面的有源相控阵天线，在干扰能力上同样具有明显的优势。而阵风战机的SPECTRA电子战系统则在干扰与欺骗现代雷达方面独树一帜。尽管歼-16在远程打击中占据优势，但阵风灵活的机动性和敏捷性也不容小觑，在近距离格斗中可能反而占得先机。    此次联训的意义远不止战机之间的对抗，更多的是对不同战术理念的探索与融合。埃及空军长期以来受西方和俄罗斯军队的影响，其战术条令多以单机性能为导向，而中国的空中作战体系则强调网络化指挥与火力投送的协同。因此，通过与歼-16的对抗，埃及飞行员能够从中汲取到许多新的战术思路。

五 |     在演习中，埃及飞行员不仅要面对强大的对手，更要适应在超视距条件下的作战模式，这将极大扩展他们的战术视野。尤其是在学习如何通过预警机进行综合指挥、如何协调多种作战平台之间的配合等方面，都是对现有战术体系的一次质变。        这次联训为埃及空军的现代化进程注入了新鲜血液。通过与中国的技术与思想碰撞，埃及将逐渐形成一套更加多元化的作战理念，这对于未来的空军作战能力建设至关重要。    随着国际形势的变化，各国空军面临的挑战愈发复杂。在这样的背景下，中埃两国的军事合作迎来了新的机遇。“文明之鹰-2026”不仅是一场简单的联合演习，更是两国在复杂国际环境中寻求共同发展、互利共赢的体现。

六 |     随着越来越多的国际合作项目落地，中埃两国在军事领域的紧密联系将不可避免地覆盖更广泛的合作领域。这种合作不仅限于战机的交流，还有战术、理念和技术的全面碰撞与递进。    未来埃及空军在对抗与合作中不断成长，最终形成一支既具有自主作战能力又能融入国际军事合作的现代化空中力量。而这背后的合作与交流，将为地区乃至全球安全格局增添新的动力，推动整个国际社会朝着更加和平与稳定的方向前行。返回，查看更多。

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Published on:22:26:04