--- title: Flood Reporting and Information Management System for Assam url: https://www.velsof.com/case-studies/flood-reporting-and-information-management-system-for-assam/ date: 2026-02-23 type: case_study author: Velocity Software Solutions client: "United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) - Assam Field Office, in partnership with the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA), Government of Assam" industry: Disaster Management / Emergency Response / Government location: "Guwahati, Assam, India" categories: Case Studies tags: Cybersecurity, Dashboard, Monitoring, Offline App, PHP development, Reporting, SEO, Training, UNICEF, Web Application Development --- ## The Challenge Assam experiences devastating floods almost every year, often in multiple phases, affecting millions of lives and causing widespread damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and livelihoods. Flood governance is a critical agenda for the state’s sustainable development, and effective disaster response depends fundamentally on timely, accurate information. The existing flood reporting system faced significant challenges: – Daily situation reports required manual compilation through multiple layers of verification from village level through Revenue Circle, Sub-Division, District, to State Emergency Operation Centre – Information sharing happened primarily through emails, with manual compilation at each level, making the process extremely time-intensive – Manual processes introduced high probability of data errors, required additional human resources for compilation, and proved inadequate for real-time decision making – Cumulative reporting was particularly challenging due to the highly dynamic nature of flood information – Critical information from multiple external sources — Indian Meteorological Department (rainfall), Central Water Commission (river flow), NESAC/FLEWS (flood early warning) — resided on separate platforms requiring lengthy consultation processes – Phase compilation for damage reporting and verification of damage claims was cumbersome with manual systems – The wide range of stakeholders across village, Revenue Circle, Sub-Division, District, and State levels needed different access levels and reporting interfaces ## Velocity’s Solution ### Scope of Work Velocity developed a comprehensive flood reporting and information management system comprising a [mobile application](https://www.velsof.com/mobile-app-development/), web portal, and integrated [dashboard](https://www.velsof.com/software-development/) to transform Assam’s manual flood reporting system into a real-time digital platform, including assessment, framework development, pilot deployment, user training in multiple languages, handholding support during actual flood operations, and migration to government servers. ### Key Features & Deliverables **Mobile Application** – **Cross-Platform Compatibility**: Workable on all major mobile platforms - **Multi-Language Support**: Full support for English, Assamese, Bodo, and Bengali for all forms and instructions - **Offline Data Entry**: Offline saving capability for multiple records during emergencies with no-internet scenarios, with server synchronization when connectivity resumes - **GPS Location Capture**: Geo-tagging of data entry points with 20-50 meter accuracy, with admin-configurable toggle - **Image Upload**: Photo attachment capability for damage documentation and field reporting - **User-Friendly Data Collection Interface**: Intuitive design optimized for around 300 concurrent users during flood events - **Multi-Level Approval System**: User ID and password-based access with hierarchical approval workflows - **Pre-Populated Administrative Data**: Districts, blocks, Gram Panchayats/ULBs, and revenue villages/wards pre-loaded from official government lists - **Admin Panel**: User-friendly frontend for adding/editing/deleting questionnaires, data entry forms, and dynamic information - **Scalability**: Architecture designed for future form additions and functional expansion **Web Portal** – **HTML5 Dynamic Interface**: Modern, [responsive design](https://www.velsof.com/web-development/) working across all operating systems (Windows, Linux, Mac) and browsers (Firefox, IE7+, Opera, Safari, Chrome) – **Government URL Hosting**: Final deployment on Assam government URL with HTTPS protocol – **User Management System**: Role-based access with granular permissions – **Content Management**: Full CMS capabilities for documents, videos, and pictures – **Data Entry Alternative**: Web-based data collection forms for users without mobile application access - **GIGW Compliance**: Meeting Guidelines for Indian Government Websites standards - **SEO Optimization**: SEO-friendly URLs, unique page titles, meta tags, and Google Analytics integration - **Security Audit**: Third-party security audit by CERT-IN empanelled auditor - **Print Functionality**: Print page capability on every web page - **Document Management**: Support for PDF, Excel, and DOC formats with media gallery **Integrated Dashboard** – **Real-Time Rainfall Data**: Linked to IMD for real-time, cumulative, and projected rainfall with maps – **River Flow Data**: Hydrographs for critical locations linked to CWC portal - **FLEWS Alert Integration**: Linked to NESAC/FLEWS portal for early warning alerts - **Inundation Maps**: Based on field data for daily and cumulative phase/year visualization - **Interactive Graphs & Charts**: Trends linked to field data with daily and cumulative views - **Relief Camp Management**: Age, gender, and disability-segregated data from camp registers and real-time monitoring - **District Comparison**: Visual representations allowing comparison between districts on key indicators - **Action Tracking**: District-wise reporting of on-ground actions taken - **Category-Wise Damage Reports**: Departmental impact reporting as per government formats - **Export Capabilities**: Downloadable reports in PDF and Excel formats - **Search & Filter**: Advanced search and selection/filter facilities - **Open Source**: All dashboards developed using open-source technologies **Supporting Deliverables** – **Assessment Report**: Detailed information needs assessment of existing flood governance systems with proposed digital framework – **User Manual**: Comprehensive pictorial user guide in English, Assamese, Bodo, and Bengali for all user levels – **Training & Orientation**: Remote orientation sessions for key functionaries with pre/post training tests, observations, and feedback – **Handholding Support**: On-ground technical support during actual 2021 flood season for real-time system modifications – **Source Code Transfer**: Complete source code handover with knowledge transfer documentation ### Technology Stack - **Frontend**: HTML5, CSS3, [PHP](https://www.velsof.com/php-development/) with responsive design - **Backend**: PHP with MySQL/PostgreSQL database - **Mobile**: Cross-platform mobile application - **Dashboard**: Open-source visualization technologies - **Data Standards**: Government of India defined Metadata and Data Standards compliance - **Security**: SSL encryption, application authentication, session management - **Localization**: ISO/IEC 14496-OFF Open Font Format for all 22 constitutionally recognized languages, MEITY localization guidelines for mobile web applications - **Hosting**: UNICEF vendor server during development; ASDMA/NIC government server post security audit ## Implementation Approach The project was executed across two fiscal years with five major deliverable phases: **Year 1 (October – December 2020)** *Phase 1: Assessment & Framework (by October 30, 2020 – 20% payment)* – 5 days of field travel to understand reporting patterns, issues, and users – Detailed information needs assessment of current flood governance systems – Framework development for digital flood reporting and information management – Technical expert placement at ASDMA for coordination and handholding – Feedback incorporation from ASDMA and UNICEF *Phase 2: System Development & Pilot (by December 15, 2020 – 80% payment)* – Development of mobile application, web portal, and integrated dashboard – Pilot run in selected districts with structured feedback from DDMAs – Bug fixes and system finalization based on user feedback – Partial project handover with source code and knowledge transfer **Year 2 (January – September 2021)** *Phase 3: Documentation & Training (by March 31, 2021 – 20% payment)* – User manual development in document and video formats – Translation of manuals into Assamese, Bodo, and Bengali – Remote orientation of key functionaries – Training report with observations, test results, and feedback *Phase 4: Live Operations Support (by August 31, 2021 – 30% payment)* – 10 days of field travel for direct support – Handholding during actual 2021 flood season operations – Real-time modifications to templates, forms, and addressing dynamic requirements – System adaptation based on operational experience *Phase 5: Government Server Migration (by September 15, 2021 – 50% payment)* – Third-party security audit by CERT-IN empanelled agency – Migration to NIC platform – Final source code transfer and knowledge transfer – Complete project handover ## Key Outcomes & Impact - **Transformed Flood Reporting**: Converted Assam’s entire flood reporting system from manual email-and-spreadsheet processes to a real-time digital platform accessible at all administrative levels - **Real-Time Decision Making**: Enabled faster, evidence-based decisions through automated data compilation, visualization, and dashboard analytics during flood events - **Reduced Data Errors**: Digital data entry with validation rules and GPS tagging significantly reduced the errors inherent in manual compilation processes - **Multi-Source Integration**: Consolidated critical flood information from IMD (rainfall), CWC (river flow), and NESAC/FLEWS (early warning) into a single dashboard, eliminating the need to consult multiple platforms - **Inclusive Design**: Multi-language support (English, Assamese, Bodo, Bengali) ensured accessibility for all government functionaries across Assam’s diverse linguistic landscape - **Operational Validation**: The system was tested during actual 2021 flood operations, with real-time modifications based on ground experience ensuring practical functionality - **Disaster Preparedness Foundation**: The platform was designed to feed into a broader state disaster management information system as part of Assam’s DRR Road Map, creating a foundation for comprehensive disaster management digitization - **Concurrent Scalability**: Architecture supporting 300 simultaneous users during peak flood events ensured system reliability during critical disaster periods ## Why Velocity Velocity was selected through UNICEF’s LTA (Long-Term Agreement) process based on: - **Disaster Management Domain Understanding**: Proven work and solid background in digital systems related to emergency response, preparedness, and disaster risk reduction - **Government MIS Development**: Demonstrated experience developing management information systems for government organizations - **UNICEF LTA Holder**: Existing long-term agreement with UNICEF, reflecting established trust and procurement efficiency - **Multi-Disciplinary Team**: Presence of a team capable of addressing programmatic, technological, and administrative aspects of the assignment - **Multi-Language Capability**: Ability to develop applications in English, Assamese, Bodo, and Bengali with MEITY-compliant localization - **Field Presence**: Local team presence enabling direct coordination with ASDMA in Guwahati - **Government Server Migration Experience**: Experience navigating NIC security audit and hosting processes - **Handholding Commitment**: Willingness to provide on-ground technical support during live flood operations