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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.
。    近日！新加坡发生一宗震惊全岛的离奇焦尸案！44岁的死者在自家门口被活活烧死，而他的表姐就在屋内睡觉。警到场时死者下半身已经烧焦。 死者生前自拍照 图源：FB事情爆出后，大家都对此感到不可思议。就在前天，警方公布了最新调查进展.....失火原因，很可能跟死者裤袋里的电子烟或便携式电池有关。 图源：早报新加坡组屋焦尸案细节曝光这件事发生在2024年8月28日早上6点45分，被烧死的是44岁的自由工作者林某（单身）。他平时有抽电子烟的习惯，目前跟家人同住在波东巴西1道第107座组屋八楼的一个单位。事发组屋 图源：8视界事发当天，林某跟朋友出去喝酒，直到清晨，醉酒的林某被朋友扶了回来。当时，林表姐在家中睡觉，林某朋友敲了门，喊了几声都没能叫醒林表姐，反而把邻居吵醒了。

B | 同层的邻居叫他们小声一点，于是他们便将林某直接放在家门口就离开了。

C | 图源：早报没多久，悲剧发生了....先是有邻居察觉到组屋走廊失火，出来一看，是林某下半身着火了，于是立刻报警和协助灭火。

D | 警察赶到时，林某面朝下倒在门口，下半身都烧焦了。

E | 早上九点，警员上门叫醒林表姐，同时还将此事告知了林某的其他家属，很快家属都赶到现场。这时候家属们才知道林某已经死了。疑是死者亲友到场 图源：新明日报当时，已有大批警员和民防人员到场，在事发地点周围拉起封锁线，开始调查林某的死因。图源：见水印经过初步调查，警方排除他杀的可能。并查获以下线索：死者周围没有火患痕迹，他的脸部没有伤痕，只有下半身尤其是靠近裤袋的位置（大腿处）被烧得最为严重。 死者被移走后，走廊仍有烧焦的痕迹 图源：8视界警察在死者的身上发现有手机、钥匙和电子烟。因此，怀疑是死者醉酒的情况下尿裤子，尿液接触到裤袋里的电子烟等电子用品，导致死者触电失去意识，同时带电物体跟着起火，将死者下半身烧焦。 警察现场取证 图源：早报经过5小时的现场勘察，当天12点40分，尸体被抬走。

F | 警方带走了死者身上的物品，邻居用来灭火的的灭火器，并取走了死者睡房里的电子烟，要对此做进一步的调查。 图源：早报在此事爆出来，大家猜测林某死因的时候，就有小伙伴猜测是打火机或者电子烟的问题了。

G | 不过，目前只是初步判断，林某的死因跟裤袋里的电子烟或便携式电池有关，具体情况还要等进一步的调查结果。

H | 话说回来，电子烟在新加坡其实是“违禁品”，它有很多安全隐患，却屡禁不止.....新加坡打击电子烟的历程电子烟最开始是靠“戒烟”这个理念火起来了。

I | 这种无需燃烧，通过蒸发形式的电子烟很快就流行起来。

J | 有些国家认为电子烟是可以开放的，例如美国。2021年10月13日，美国食品药品监督管理局（FDA）批准了烟草味的电子烟。他们认为电子烟产品“适合保护公众健康"，或具有烟草替代效果。 示意图新加坡不这么认为！而是直接电子烟给禁了，卫生部还指出“电子烟”的四大罪：1）电子烟含有许多其他化学物质，这些化学物质的影响现在尚不为人知，我们不应该冒这个险；2）电子烟已经发展成非吸烟者开始吸烟的入门途径；3）年轻人开始吸电子烟后，往后吸烟的可能性是普通人的三倍，当中一些人可能转向其他毒品，如大麻和其他违禁品；4）电子烟专门针对年轻人的喜好设计，含水果味使它更具有潜在危害。

K | 因此，新加坡对电子烟采取禁止的态度。 示意图 图源：iStock2014年起，新加坡就开始禁止销售电子烟。当时中国驻新加坡大使馆还发布提醒，称有人在新加坡售卖电子香烟被罚款近10万新。 中国驻新加坡大使馆2018年2月1日起，新加坡开始全面禁止，销售、使用和持有电子烟都是违法的。如果是持有使用和购买电子烟，可罚2000新，如果是进口、销售电子烟，初犯者罚1万新或坐牢6个月，或2者兼施，重犯者量刑加倍！在新加坡，不仅不能买卖，持有电子烟，同时也禁止任何电子烟相关广告！一经发现立即撤下。但无论是电子烟广告，还是关于电子烟的案件，在近两年都处于上升的状态！关于违法电子烟广告：2022年有2600则网上广告和贴文被撤下，2023年有超3000则。近些年的电子烟违法案件。2022年有5600起，到2023年就升至8000起。当局今年也接到很多举报，查获不少电子烟。甚至还查获本地历来最大的电子烟分销网络。

L | 1）6月，起获超35万个电子烟和配件6月14-18日，执法人员在3个地点展开突击，起获超过35万个电子烟和配件，黑市价逾600万元。查获破获本地历来最大的电子烟分销网络之一。6月14日，突击兀兰环道的一个储藏室，发现里头藏有大量的电子烟和配件。现场查获上百箱各式各样的电子烟。同日在芽笼基里玛弯公寓进行另一场突击行动，在客厅走道和房间内爆满了装有电子烟的箱子。6月18日，法人员再到兀兰工业园的一个仓库展开突击搜查，又起获了不少电子烟和配件。并且，在这三起突击中，执法人员发现有14个电子烟含管制毒品四氢大麻酚（THC）成分，这些电子烟移交给中央肃毒局处置。2）3月，查获超40万个电子烟配件 4月24日在兀兰工业区突击检查一个仓库，逮捕两名22岁和30岁的泰国籍男子，同时查获超过40万个电子烟和配件，黑市价格超过500万新。3）1月，搜出逾8.1万个电子烟和配件 执法人员在自兀兰弄的一个偏僻仓库。查获8.1万个电子烟和配件，黑市价估计逾110万新。现场还有价格贴标机、文具和包装袋，猜测这里同时还是他们的发货地。除了对批量囤货的打击治理，新加坡在公共场所也严格“扫描”电子烟的使用者。

M | 今年第二季度，有3279人抽电子烟被当场抓获7月，卫科局展开执法活动，仅一天就有57人因使用或拥有电子烟当场被捉。第二个季度，抓捕3279人，第一季度抓捕2240人！。

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