EFAS Training for the International Meuse Commission

by CEMS-Flood Analytics and Dissemination Centre (DISS)

All EFAS partners can request a training on the EFAS service and products to better make use of the available information. On 18-19 April 2023, an EFAS training was given to the International Meuse Commission (IMC). This training involved different member organisations within the IMC, as a special feature, it included both EFAS partners and non-EFAS partners.

In the case of the International Meuse Commission, the training was requested not only to get an overview and introduction on EFAS, but also to provide a better understanding of what the EFAS system can do for national and regional flood forecasting and warning centres and give information about the current limitations of the system. The need for an in-depth analysis of the EFAS service was brought up during discussions within the IMC in the aftermath of the exceptional flood that occurred in July 2021 in the basins of the Rhine and the Meuse. 

The training took place in Liège, Belgium, at the Palais provincial de Liège. The event was organized by the CEMS Hydrological Forecast Analytics and Dissemination Centre (DISS) together with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) and with support from the CEMS Hydrological Computational Centre (COMP), the CEMS Meteorological Data Collection Centre (MDCC) and the CEMS Hydrological Data Collection Centre (HDCC).

In addition to the general introduction and overview on the organisational structure and model basics, a number of more recent products were presented and discussed, for example the real-time hydrographs that allow the user to analyse a forecast that also considers the most recent discharge observation and thus having the advantage to compare it to the forecast products that are model-based only. Apart from that, users can add calibration stations to this product on a regular basis (twice a year), and possible applications of the real-time hydrographs were discussed intensely. Another rather new feature is the satellite based flood monitoring product that can be accessed through the EFAS Map Viewer and that provides a valuable addition to the model-based forecast products, being a fully automated scanning of any flooded area. Relying on Sentinel 1 (i.e. polar-orbiting satellites), this monitoring product is, however, not available continuously. 

Furthermore, substantial time was given for an in-depth discussion of the model performance for the Meuse basin, both in general but also during the 2021 flood event. The organizers and participants had an open and constructive discussion on the way EFAS information were communicated both through the EFAS consortium and through media. Ideas came up to streamline information flow in the future, for example through even more tailor-made and easy to digest information provided on EFAS homepage, e.g. separated for non-hydrologist and experts, and given in several languages to prevent misinterpretations.

There were in total 24 participants from France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and the Scheldt and Moselle/Saar Commissions. Both organizers and participants expressed their willingness to explore ways to improve the effectiveness of the collaboration.

How to request a training

All EFAS partner who wish to receive a training can get in touch with the CEMS-Flood Analytics and Dissemination centre, either using the contact form on EFAS homepage or sending an email to info@efas.eu. Partners who have not received a training before are being prioritised.