AIRCAS Launches Satellite Data Services to Support Flood Response Across China
13 Jul 2026
The Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (AIRCAS) has launched a dedicated satellite data service and an integrated flood warning platform to support emergency response as persistent heavy rainfall causes flooding in several parts of China.
The "2026 China Summer Flood Disaster Data Service", developed by the National Earth Observation Data Center (NODA), a center hosted by AIRCAS, was launched online on July 7. The service provides local governments, disaster reduction agencies and research institutions with timely access to satellite imagery, geographic information and other disaster-related datasets.
By comparing satellite observations collected before, during and after flooding, researchers can identify changes in water extent, assess affected farmland, roads, settlements and infrastructure, and support decisions on emergency deployment, evacuation, damage assessment and post-disaster recovery.
The service has already released multi-source satellite imagery for flood-affected areas, including data covering Nanning in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Additional datasets will be added as rainfall patterns and affected areas continue to change.
AIRCAS is also operating the China Flood Dynamic Warning and Monitoring Integrated Service Platform. The system collects and updates flood and water-level warnings issued by more than 150 provincial and municipal hydrological stations and water resources authorities above the county level.
Using artificial intelligence, big data analytics and geographic information technologies, the platform organizes scattered warning information by location, time and severity. It presents the results on a nationwide digital map, enabling users to quickly identify high-risk areas and track changing flood conditions.
The platform also applies intelligent analysis to warning signals and supports trend assessment, transforming large volumes of fragmented information into visual products that can assist emergency decision-making.
Since 2020, NODA has coordinated summer flood data services for government departments, disaster management organizations and scientific teams. Previous services have supported flood response in several Chinese cities and regions.
For the 2026 flood season, the center is working through the China GEO Disaster Data Response (CDDR) mechanism and coordinating more than 10 government agencies, universities and commercial satellite companies. Participating organizations will continue to provide meteorological, ocean, resource and commercial satellite data in response to operational needs.
AIRCAS will continue monitoring rainfall, water levels and disaster conditions, while updating satellite data and warning information to support flood control, emergency rescue and recovery efforts across China.
Research News
AIRCAS Launches Satellite Data Services to Support Flood Response Across China
The Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (AIRCAS) has launched a dedicated satellite data service and an integrated flood warning platform to support emergency response as persistent heavy rainfall causes flooding in several parts of China.
The "2026 China Summer Flood Disaster Data Service", developed by the National Earth Observation Data Center (NODA), a center hosted by AIRCAS, was launched online on July 7. The service provides local governments, disaster reduction agencies and research institutions with timely access to satellite imagery, geographic information and other disaster-related datasets.
By comparing satellite observations collected before, during and after flooding, researchers can identify changes in water extent, assess affected farmland, roads, settlements and infrastructure, and support decisions on emergency deployment, evacuation, damage assessment and post-disaster recovery.
The service has already released multi-source satellite imagery for flood-affected areas, including data covering Nanning in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Additional datasets will be added as rainfall patterns and affected areas continue to change.
AIRCAS is also operating the China Flood Dynamic Warning and Monitoring Integrated Service Platform. The system collects and updates flood and water-level warnings issued by more than 150 provincial and municipal hydrological stations and water resources authorities above the county level.
Using artificial intelligence, big data analytics and geographic information technologies, the platform organizes scattered warning information by location, time and severity. It presents the results on a nationwide digital map, enabling users to quickly identify high-risk areas and track changing flood conditions.
The platform also applies intelligent analysis to warning signals and supports trend assessment, transforming large volumes of fragmented information into visual products that can assist emergency decision-making.
Since 2020, NODA has coordinated summer flood data services for government departments, disaster management organizations and scientific teams. Previous services have supported flood response in several Chinese cities and regions.
For the 2026 flood season, the center is working through the China GEO Disaster Data Response (CDDR) mechanism and coordinating more than 10 government agencies, universities and commercial satellite companies. Participating organizations will continue to provide meteorological, ocean, resource and commercial satellite data in response to operational needs.
AIRCAS will continue monitoring rainfall, water levels and disaster conditions, while updating satellite data and warning information to support flood control, emergency rescue and recovery efforts across China.