Empowering communities through citizen science
Enhancing flash flood early warning in the Manizales creek basin
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 12963174 |
|---|---|
| Authors | María J Henao Salgado (0000-0002-1302-9916, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, corresponding author), Andrea Bustamante Usma (0009-0005-2504-571X, Universidad Nacional de Colombia), D Morales (0000-0001-5522-9863, Universidad Nacional de Colombia), Jorge Julián Vélez Upegui (0000-0003-3856-1105, Universidad Nacional de Colombia), Leonardo Alfonso (0000-0002-8471-5876, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Pages | 1-24 |
| Publication date | 2025-12-04 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Environmental Hazards (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1878-0059 • E-ISSN: 1747-7891 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/17477891.2025.2585923 |
| OpenAlex | W4417023042 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 34 |
Official organisations typically manage institutional early warning systems (IEWS), while some communities independently establish a community-based early warning system (CBEWS). This is the case of the Manizales Creek Basin (MCB), where vulnerable communities are settled in a flash flood-prone area and have self-arranged basic monitoring and communication protocols to warn themselves before an IEWS arrives. Recently, IEWS and CBEWS have become aware of each other, leading to stakeholder confusion regarding flood warnings and responses. Therefore, the integration of both systems is crucial. This paper presents a methodology for this integration, based on findings from our previous research that identified flood risk knowledge and monitoring as key pillars to improve CBEWS. Strategies include capacity-building workshops and a community-based monitoring network, alongside participatory indicators, comparison of rainfall data from both systems, and lessons learned. Results acknowledge community interest in using eco-sensors for water monitoring, as well as the positive impact of enhancing local capabilities in early warning systems (EWSs). A comparison of rainfall collected by both EWSs highlights the importance of capturing spatial rainfall variability to understand extreme events. Findings suggest that improving capacity-building and establishing a community-based monitoring network can empower communities in flood monitoring and warning systems in the region. This citizen science case study aims to shift towards people-centered EWS in mountainous regions for flash floods, with positive results in the pillars of disaster risk knowledge, monitoring, and forecasting. Capacity-building workshops in EWS are essential for enhancing local capabilities and fostering community resilience among marginalised groups. Implementing eco-water sensors for water and weather represents a strategic approach to capture extreme events and their variability, giving the possibility of more effective flash flood warnings
Citizen science · Flash (photography · Flash flood · Flood myth · Structural basin · Warning system · Disaster Management and Resilience · Flood Risk Assessment and Management · Species Distribution and Climate Change
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A review on the prevention and control of flash flood hazards on a global scale
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Community-based disaster preparedness and climate adaptation
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| Highly cited | No |
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