Kanpur, 3 May 2025: TerrAqua UAV Solutions Private Limited, an incubated startup at the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), IIT Kanpur, has launched a sophisticated urban flood disaster response system. The initiative is supported by NTT DATA, a global leader in digital and technology services, under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program and is a significant step toward climate-resilient urban planning.

The project revolves around a Web-GIS platform that integrates high-resolution data from drone-based aerial surveys and satellite remote sensing. This system enables precise flood mapping, inundation simulations, and population impact assessments, empowering decision-makers with actionable insights. The pilot covered 24 flood-prone villages near the Ganga Barrage, collecting granular data crucial for proactive disaster planning and emergency response.

Officials from the Irrigation Department Uttar Pradesh and the Kanpur Development Authority attended the event and spoke highly about the project launched under the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), IIT Kanpur. They noted that if upscaled, the initiative could play a vital role in predicting flood inundation and developing early warning systems. The platform could also assist significantly in town planning by mapping flood risk areas and assessing potential threats to infrastructure and population.

“The project launched at IIT Kanpur will prove highly beneficial for the region. It utilizes both drone and satellite technologies to enhance flood response efforts. With the help of this system, it will be possible to detect potential flooding early, allowing for timely measures that can prevent large-scale damage,” said Kanpur Commissioner K. Vijyendra Pandian. He stressed the need to upscale the project across the Kanpur district and eventually the entire state of Uttar Pradesh, given that several districts are highly flood-prone. He also emphasized that such a technology-driven initiative by TerrAqua is timely and critical for sustainable development, particularly for farmers who can better protect their crops from flood-related losses.

“SIIC is committed to empowering deep-tech startups like TerrAqua UAV. Their success reflects how strategic collaborations with industry leaders such as NTT DATA can help translate innovative technologies into meaningful solutions for society,” said Mr. Anurag Singh, CEO, SIIC, IIT Kanpur.

“Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of natural disasters like floods, especially in urban centers. Through this CSR collaboration with IIT Kanpur and TerrAqua UAV, we aim to support smarter governance and safer communities,” said Gauri Bahulkar, Senior Director, Global Corporate Social Responsibility, NTT DATA.

“Our platform makes geospatial intelligence accessible for real-time flood response. This collaboration with NTT DATA has allowed us to develop a scalable, real-time flood management framework, combining UAV and satellite inputs into an intuitive decision-support system,” said Prof. Rajiv Sinha, Founder of TerrAqua UAV and Professor at IIT Kanpur.

A live demonstration of the geospatial dashboard was held during the launch event at IIT Kanpur’s PBCEC. The event was attended by civic administrators, municipal officers, researchers, and community leaders. The platform is designed to assist city administrators, disaster response teams, and planning agencies in real-time flood mitigation efforts.

This partnership leverages the power of academia, industry, and innovation to drive impactful and sustainable solutions for climate resilience. By enhancing flood preparedness and response capabilities, the initiative empowers communities, government agencies, and city planners with tools to build safer urban environments.

About IIT Kanpur:

The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur was established in 1959 and declared an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India through an Act of Parliament. IIT Kanpur is widely recognized for maintaining the highest standards in science and engineering education and for its significant research and development contributions. The institute’s lush green campus spans 1,050 acres and houses a vast pool of academic and research resources across 19 departments, 25 centers, and three interdisciplinary programs in engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines. It has more than 580 full-time faculty members and approximately 9,000 students.

About Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC), IIT Kanpur:

Established in 2000, the Startup Incubation and Innovation Centre (SIIC) at IIT Kanpur is one of the earliest technology business incubators in India. In 2018, the incubator’s operations were integrated under the Foundation for Research & Innovation in Science & Technology (FIRST), a Section-8 company promoted by IIT Kanpur. Over the past two decades, this dynamic incubation ecosystem has successfully bridged all stages in the journey from concept to commercialization.

About NTT DATA:

NTT DATA is a $30+ billion trusted global innovator of business and technology services. The company serves 75% of the Fortune Global 100 and helps clients innovate, optimize, and transform for long-term success. With experts in more than 50 countries and a strong ecosystem of partners, NTT DATA provides services including business and technology consulting, data and artificial intelligence, industry solutions, and application and infrastructure management. NTT DATA is part of the NTT Group, which invests over $3.6 billion annually in research and development.

For more information, visit nttdata.com.