Aquino to lead Project NOAH launch in Marikina

By Jimmyley I. Guzman

Friday 6th of July 2012

MARIKINA CITY, July 6 (PIA) –- President Benigno S. Aquino III will grace the Project NOAH launch today, July 6 at the Nangka Del Covered Court in Balubad Settlement Phase II, Brgy. Nangka.

NOAH or the Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards is a pilot project of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) according to a statement sent by the Marikina local government to PIA-NCR.

The city has been using the two-month old project as it provides more information on weather and flooding through its graphical satellite radar and Doppler data forecasts.

“The project has been a big help for the city to identify real-time weather and flood. This way, the city can immediately take preventive plans and measures against disasters,” Marikina Mayor Del De Guzman said.

In the past, Marikina was using the Flood Control Operation System (FCOS) of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to identify the amount of rainfall and the level of water level in Marikina River.

The DOST said Project NOAH is the national government’s newest project designed to serve as sentinel that will address the serious challenges brought by extreme hazard events.

It aims to give local government units, private companies and individuals information that can help them make informed decisions in times of disasters.

NOAH has seven components designed to address major needs in disaster situations: Hydromet sensors development, DREAM-Lidar, FloodNET, Hazards information media, Landslide hazards mapping, Doppler system development, and Storm surge inundation mapping. (MARIKINA-PIO/RJB/JEG-PIA-NCR)