eAabhas platform to boost early warnings and strengthen the climate resilience of hydro assets.

NHPC Sharpens AI Focus for Real-Time Flood Forecasting at Dams.

State-owned hydropower major NHPC Ltd has intensified its use of artificial intelligence to improve real-time flood forecasting and dam monitoring amid rising climate risks. The company has developed an AI-based early warning platform, eAabhas, which uses Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and machine learning models to predict flood discharge at dams and barrage sites with enhanced lead time. NHPC has also established a master control room for continuous monitoring through the platform, aimed at improving the accuracy of alerts and minimising risks to infrastructure and downstream populations. AI-driven systems are expected to be particularly useful during extreme events such as flash floods, where traditional forecasting tools have limitations. The initiative follows lessons from incidents like the October 2023 Sikkim flash floods that affected the Teesta basin. The platform integrates external data from agencies, including the India Meteorological Department, National Disaster Management Authority, and the Central Water Commission, enabling faster, data-driven decision-making and strengthening India’s dam safety framework.