Field Deployment

The Flash Flood Monitoring System shown here represents a fully deployed, field-ready unit designed for continuous operation in remote riverine environments. Installed directly along the riverbank, the system is powered by a solar panel that ensures uninterrupted energy supply even in off-grid locations. At its core, an ultrasonic sensor continuously measures water levels, while an embedded Arduino-based system processes the data and transmits it using LoRaWAN technology. This enables long-range, low-power communication to a nearby gateway without relying on cellular networks. The collected data is then relayed to The Things Network (TTN) cloud server and visualized on a dashboard for real-time monitoring. This deployment demonstrates the system’s ability to operate reliably in harsh terrains, providing continuous data flow and enabling early flood warning, thereby reducing risks to nearby communities and infrastructure.

Highlights

• Solar-powered, off-grid deployment
• Real-time river water level monitoring
• LoRaWAN-based long-range communication
• Reliable operation in remote terrains

System Hardware

This view highlights the internal hardware components that power the Flash Flood Monitoring System. The setup includes a solar charging system connected to a battery for continuous energy supply, ensuring reliable performance in remote areas. An ultrasonic sensor is used to measure water levels accurately, while an Arduino Uno integrated with a LoRa module processes and transmits the data. The modular design allows for easy deployment, maintenance, and scalability. By combining low-cost components with efficient communication technology, the system achieves reliable and continuous monitoring without requiring complex infrastructure.

Highlights

• Low-cost and modular hardware design
• Ultrasonic sensor for accurate measurement
• Arduino + LoRa integration
• Battery-backed solar power system

Data Transmission & Communication

This image represents the communication layer of the Flash Flood Monitoring System, focusing on how data is transmitted from the field to the cloud. The sensor node sends collected water level data via LoRaWAN to a nearby gateway, which then forwards the information to The Things Network (TTN) cloud server. This architecture enables reliable data transmission over distances of up to 2–3 km, even in areas without cellular connectivity. The data is processed and visualized on a dashboard, allowing real-time monitoring and supporting early warning systems. This communication framework ensures minimal data loss, continuous situational awareness, and timely decision-making.

Highlights

• LoRaWAN-based long-range transmission
• Gateway-to-cloud integration (TTN)
• Works without cellular networks
• Real-time dashboard visualization

Low-Cost Flood Monitoring Device

The Nadi Mitra system is a low-cost, IoT-based flood monitoring device designed specifically for remote and hilly regions where traditional monitoring systems are often unreliable or difficult to deploy. Flood events in such terrains, especially those involving debris flow, pose significant risks due to the lack of real-time data and limited accessibility. This system addresses these challenges by integrating water level sensing with real-time image capture, enabling continuous monitoring of both water depth and surrounding conditions. Using a 4G-enabled communication module (SIM7600X), the device transmits data and images directly to a cloud platform, ensuring remote accessibility and timely insights. The workflow begins with system initialization, followed by sensor triggering, water level computation, and image capture using a Pi camera. The data is then packaged with timestamps and device identification before being uploaded to the cloud. Designed to be cost-effective, reliable, and easy to deploy, Nadi Mitra enhances situational awareness, supports early warning systems, and enables better decision-making in flood-prone regions.

Highlights

• Low-cost IoT-based monitoring system
• Real-time water depth measurement
• Integrated camera for debris and flow monitoring
• 4G (SIM7600X) cloud data transmission
• Supports early warning and decision-making

Water Surface Monitoring Platform

The Nodi-Bindu system is a solar-powered water surface monitoring platform designed for continuous observation of river conditions in remote environments. Built for reliability and low maintenance, the system measures key parameters such as water depth, temperature, and turbidity to assess both water quality and flood risk. It operates on a low-power architecture powered by solar energy, enabling long-term deployment without dependence on external infrastructure. The system continuously collects sensor data, acquires GPS location, and stores information locally on an SD card while simultaneously transmitting data to a cloud platform using wireless communication protocols such as MQTT. Its intelligent workflow ensures data persistence even during network failures by switching to offline storage and resuming transmission once connectivity is restored. By combining real-time monitoring with reliable data handling, Nodi-Bindu enhances situational awareness, supports flood forecasting, and enables efficient water resource management across river basins.

Highlights

• Solar-powered continuous monitoring system
• Measures depth, temperature, and turbidity
• MQTT-based cloud data transmission
• Offline data storage with SD card backup
• GPS-enabled location tracking
• Supports flood forecasting and water management

Underwater Monitoring & Exploration System

The XIHU underwater ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle), named after the Brahmaputra river dolphin, is inspired by the dolphin’s echolocation capabilities for underwater sensing and navigation. Designed for monitoring inland water bodies, the system addresses the limitations of conventional manual and expensive survey methods by enabling real-time, high-resolution data collection in both surface and subsurface environments. Equipped with a multi-sensor system including sonar, temperature and pressure sensors, and an onboard camera, the ROV captures critical environmental parameters along with live video feeds. Its multi-thruster design ensures stable maneuverability and controlled navigation even in dynamic water conditions. The platform supports bathymetric mapping up to depths of approximately 25 meters, making it suitable for inland water monitoring, flood risk assessment, and environmental analysis. Compact, modular, and cost-effective, XIHU enhances monitoring efficiency, improves data accuracy, and enables safer, data-driven decision-making in challenging and remote aquatic environments.

Highlights

• Multi-thruster system for stable underwater navigation
• Real-time sonar, temperature, and pressure sensing
• Live underwater video streaming
• Bathymetric mapping up to ~25 meters depth
• Compact, modular, and portable design
• Supports flood assessment and environmental monitoring

Device Setup and Pre-Deployment Preparation

Before field deployment, the monitoring systems underwent a comprehensive setup and testing process to ensure reliable performance under real-world environmental conditions. The preparation activities included component assembly, system configuration, communication checks, power verification, and functional testing of sensors and data transmission modules. These pre-deployment procedures were essential for validating system performance, ensuring data accuracy, and minimizing operational issues during installation at remote monitoring locations. The setup process also provided an opportunity to assess the readiness of the systems and confirm their suitability for continuous field operation.