Historical evolution of flood forecasting: from ancient observations to AI and citizen science-driven systems

Mohammad Ataul Morshed; Mohammad A. Alim; Ataur Rahman

doi:10.1007/978-3-032-18708-6_28

Historical evolution of flood forecasting: from ancient observations to AI and citizen science-driven systems

Mohammad Ataul Morshed
, Mohammad A. Alim
, Ataur Rahman

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference Paper › Chapter › peer-review

Abstract

Flood forecasting has evolved from simple observational methods used by early civilizations to sophisticated AI-integrated systems that combine satellite remote sensing, sophisticated hydrological modelling, and citizen science. This literature review traces the historical development of flood forecasting methodologies through distinct chronological periods, examining technological breakthroughs and their impact on prediction accuracy. The review synthesizes current research on AI applications, satellite-based monitoring systems, and community-based approaches. The evolution demonstrates a clear trajectory from localized, experience-based methods to field applicable, data-driven systems that integrate multiple information sources for enhanced flood prediction capabilities.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	4th International Conference on Water and Environmental Engineering: Proceedings of iCWEE 2025
Editors	Ataur Rahman, Dharma Hagare, Zuhaib Siddiqui, Taha B. M. J. Ouarda, Muhammad Muhitur Rahman
Place of Publication	Switzerland
Publisher	Springer Nature Switzerland
Pages	311-321
Number of pages	11
ISBN (Electronic)	9783032187086
ISBN (Print)	9783032187079
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-18708-6_28
Publication status	Published - 2026
Event	International Conference on Water and Environmental Engineering - Sydney, Australia Duration: 19 Nov 2025 → 21 Nov 2025 Conference number: 4th

Publication series

Name	Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering
Volume	822 LNCE
ISSN (Print)	2366-2557
ISSN (Electronic)	2366-2565

Conference

Conference	International Conference on Water and Environmental Engineering
Abbreviated title	iCWEE
Country/Territory	Australia
City	Sydney
Period	19/11/25 → 21/11/25

Keywords

AI
Artificial Intelligence
Citizen Science
Flood Forecasting
Historical Evolution
Hydrological Modelling
Satellite Remote Sensing

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-032-18708-6_28

Cite this

Morshed, M. A., Alim, M. A., & Rahman, A. (2026). Historical evolution of flood forecasting: from ancient observations to AI and citizen science-driven systems. In A. Rahman, D. Hagare, Z. Siddiqui, T. B. M. J. Ouarda, & M. Muhitur Rahman (Eds.), 4th International Conference on Water and Environmental Engineering: Proceedings of iCWEE 2025 (pp. 311-321). (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering; Vol. 822 LNCE). Springer Nature Switzerland. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-18708-6_28

Morshed, Mohammad Ataul ; Alim, Mohammad A. ; Rahman, Ataur. / Historical evolution of flood forecasting : from ancient observations to AI and citizen science-driven systems. 4th International Conference on Water and Environmental Engineering: Proceedings of iCWEE 2025. editor / Ataur Rahman ; Dharma Hagare ; Zuhaib Siddiqui ; Taha B. M. J. Ouarda ; Muhammad Muhitur Rahman. Switzerland : Springer Nature Switzerland, 2026. pp. 311-321 (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering).

@inbook{39f67044b770474ab9a6e5ddc011c05c,

title = "Historical evolution of flood forecasting: from ancient observations to AI and citizen science-driven systems",

abstract = "Flood forecasting has evolved from simple observational methods used by early civilizations to sophisticated AI-integrated systems that combine satellite remote sensing, sophisticated hydrological modelling, and citizen science. This literature review traces the historical development of flood forecasting methodologies through distinct chronological periods, examining technological breakthroughs and their impact on prediction accuracy. The review synthesizes current research on AI applications, satellite-based monitoring systems, and community-based approaches. The evolution demonstrates a clear trajectory from localized, experience-based methods to field applicable, data-driven systems that integrate multiple information sources for enhanced flood prediction capabilities.",

keywords = "AI, Artificial Intelligence, Citizen Science, Flood Forecasting, Historical Evolution, Hydrological Modelling, Satellite Remote Sensing",

author = "Morshed, \{Mohammad Ataul\} and Alim, \{Mohammad A.\} and Ataur Rahman",

year = "2026",

doi = "10.1007/978-3-032-18708-6\_28",

language = "English",

isbn = "9783032187079",

series = "Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering",

publisher = "Springer Nature Switzerland",

pages = "311--321",

editor = "Ataur Rahman and Dharma Hagare and Zuhaib Siddiqui and Ouarda, \{Taha B. M. J.\} and \{Muhitur Rahman\}, Muhammad",

booktitle = "4th International Conference on Water and Environmental Engineering: Proceedings of iCWEE 2025",

note = "International Conference on Water and Environmental Engineering, iCWEE ; Conference date: 19-11-2025 Through 21-11-2025",

}

Morshed, MA, Alim, MA & Rahman, A 2026, Historical evolution of flood forecasting: from ancient observations to AI and citizen science-driven systems. in A Rahman, D Hagare, Z Siddiqui, TBMJ Ouarda & M Muhitur Rahman (eds), 4th International Conference on Water and Environmental Engineering: Proceedings of iCWEE 2025. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol. 822 LNCE, Springer Nature Switzerland, Switzerland, pp. 311-321, International Conference on Water and Environmental Engineering, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 19/11/25. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-18708-6_28

Historical evolution of flood forecasting: from ancient observations to AI and citizen science-driven systems. / Morshed, Mohammad Ataul; Alim, Mohammad A.; Rahman, Ataur.
4th International Conference on Water and Environmental Engineering: Proceedings of iCWEE 2025. ed. / Ataur Rahman; Dharma Hagare; Zuhaib Siddiqui; Taha B. M. J. Ouarda; Muhammad Muhitur Rahman. Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland, 2026. p. 311-321 (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering; Vol. 822 LNCE).

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference Paper › Chapter › peer-review

TY - CHAP

T1 - Historical evolution of flood forecasting

T2 - International Conference on Water and Environmental Engineering

AU - Morshed, Mohammad Ataul

AU - Alim, Mohammad A.

AU - Rahman, Ataur

N1 - Conference code: 4th

PY - 2026

Y1 - 2026

N2 - Flood forecasting has evolved from simple observational methods used by early civilizations to sophisticated AI-integrated systems that combine satellite remote sensing, sophisticated hydrological modelling, and citizen science. This literature review traces the historical development of flood forecasting methodologies through distinct chronological periods, examining technological breakthroughs and their impact on prediction accuracy. The review synthesizes current research on AI applications, satellite-based monitoring systems, and community-based approaches. The evolution demonstrates a clear trajectory from localized, experience-based methods to field applicable, data-driven systems that integrate multiple information sources for enhanced flood prediction capabilities.

AB - Flood forecasting has evolved from simple observational methods used by early civilizations to sophisticated AI-integrated systems that combine satellite remote sensing, sophisticated hydrological modelling, and citizen science. This literature review traces the historical development of flood forecasting methodologies through distinct chronological periods, examining technological breakthroughs and their impact on prediction accuracy. The review synthesizes current research on AI applications, satellite-based monitoring systems, and community-based approaches. The evolution demonstrates a clear trajectory from localized, experience-based methods to field applicable, data-driven systems that integrate multiple information sources for enhanced flood prediction capabilities.

KW - AI

KW - Artificial Intelligence

KW - Citizen Science

KW - Flood Forecasting

KW - Historical Evolution

KW - Hydrological Modelling

KW - Satellite Remote Sensing

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105031891650

UR - https://go.openathens.net/redirector/westernsydney.edu.au?url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-18708-6_28

U2 - 10.1007/978-3-032-18708-6_28

DO - 10.1007/978-3-032-18708-6_28

M3 - Chapter

AN - SCOPUS:105031891650

SN - 9783032187079

T3 - Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering

SP - 311

EP - 321

BT - 4th International Conference on Water and Environmental Engineering: Proceedings of iCWEE 2025

A2 - Rahman, Ataur

A2 - Hagare, Dharma

A2 - Siddiqui, Zuhaib

A2 - Ouarda, Taha B. M. J.

A2 - Muhitur Rahman, Muhammad

PB - Springer Nature Switzerland

CY - Switzerland

Y2 - 19 November 2025 through 21 November 2025

ER -

Morshed MA, Alim MA, Rahman A. Historical evolution of flood forecasting: from ancient observations to AI and citizen science-driven systems. In Rahman A, Hagare D, Siddiqui Z, Ouarda TBMJ, Muhitur Rahman M, editors, 4th International Conference on Water and Environmental Engineering: Proceedings of iCWEE 2025. Switzerland: Springer Nature Switzerland. 2026. p. 311-321. (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering). doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-18708-6_28

Historical evolution of flood forecasting: from ancient observations to AI and citizen science-driven systems

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this