A real time flood forecast and spatial decision support system (RTFF&SDSS) has been fully operationalised in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Implemented with the financial support of the World Bank, the initiative has been carried out by the Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services, consultants SECON-JBA and the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. This first-of its kind initiative has been undertaken at an estimated cost of Rs 1.07 billion. It helps provide reliable forecasts of water levels in river and tanks along with street level inundation forecasts for areas in Chennai like Pulianthope, Nungambakkam, Mambalam, Saidapet, Velachery, Meenambakkam and Mudichur.
RTFF&SDSS supports an area of 4,974 square kilometres (km) covering Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu and Ranipet districts. Besides, the Adyar, Cooum, Kosasthalaiyar and Kovalam river sub-basins are being observed under the system. The findings of the system will be circulated among the public through a mobile application called TN Alert.