AGT International announced a partnership with the Yellow River Conservancy Commission (YRCC) of the People’s Republic of China, to implement the first milestone in a long-term program for a Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) in the Yellow River.

Prediction of flood situations
Within AGT International the project is led by AGT Netherlands in collaboration with TNO (the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research) and draws upon world-renowned expertise in this field. AGT International and YRCC will jointly utilize FEWS to collect local real-time hydrometric and dike stability data, analyze the rules of flood formation and movement, improve dike stability forecasting, predict future flood situations caused by possible dike failure, and send out flood warnings.

Dutch know-how
“By bringing Dutch know-how in water management together with the global experience and expertise of AGT International, we are uniquely positioned to implement this ground breaking system,” said Pieter-Christiaan van Oranje-Nassau, CEO of AGT Netherlands. “Our solution collects real-time information from new and existing systems to generate a real-time assessment of the river conditions. Our advanced prediction and simulation software will generate alerts and recommendations to affected areas. Another key element for the full realization and success of the project is our commitment to turning key project findings into shared learning opportunities.”

Strong Chinese partnership
“Developing a flood warning system to protect the people and infrastructure of the world’s fastest growing country required global collaboration,” said Mati Kochavi, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of AGT International. “AGT International has a strong partnership with the Chinese and I am thrilled to extend this important relationship to assist in creating and implementing cutting-edge solutions. This will not only have a positive impact in terms of helping to ensure the well-being of citizens in the locality of the Yellow River, but also reduce the negative economic impact that unpredictable flooding creates.”

In May 2011 AGT signed a MOU with the Chinese Ministry of Water Resources.

Emergency response
To address China’s unique topographical and population challenges, FEWS features a custom dike monitoring and stability solution with integrated intelligent emergency response system that enables authorities to apply preventative measures, and prepare and react to ensuing crises quickly and effectively. The solution is modular and encompasses unique sensors, software and services that provide tangible benefits to water authorities as well as municipalities and emergency response agencies, providing them with a unified awareness picture.

Cooperation with Yellow River Commission
“Dike safety is the key to preventing floods,” said Shang Hongqi, Director of YRCC’s International Cooperation and Technology Bureau, “Dike hazards and the limited ability to control floods seriously affect our economic growth and the safety of lives and property. AGT International’s solution will enhance our ability to predict the occurrence of breaches, which is the key to preventing costly and dangerous floods.”

“At the same time, the project will build on and increase the collective experience and technologies in flood management on the Yellow River. We are very pleased with the cooperation between YRCC and AGT International and we expect that this project will bring long-term benefits for China’s water and urban management capabilities”, according to the YRCC/director.

In addition to piloting cutting-edge flood management technology, the FEWS initiative was established to effectively protect the safety of Chinese citizens and their property while creating new eco-friendly standards.

Commitment to Chinese market
In January 2011 AGT International announced four partnerships with Chinese agencies to improve the nation’s urban management and water safety systems, reflecting the company’s ongoing commitment to the Chinese market and the active role it continues to play in supporting the historic growth and progress occurring in Chinese cities. These agencies include the Ministry of Water Resources, the International Cooperation Center of the National Development and Reform Commission (ICC-NDRC), the Shijiazhuang Municipal People’s Government, and National Academy for Mayors of China (NAMC).

More information
AGT International/Custodia
The Hague, the Netherlands
+31-70-3634110
www.agtinternational.com

Rijkswaterstaat and the Huaihe Water Resource Commission started a three year cooperation programme. This is one of the major elements of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the Chinese vice minister Zhuo Ying of Water Resources and the Dutch state secretary Joop Atsma of Infrastructure and Environment. The MOU was signed in Beijing on 16 November.

New flood protection plans
By exchanging experiences on river basin management and using the same methods, both authorities can learn a lot from each other. “Knowledge on the Huaihe river can be of great importance in making plans for the protection of the areas along the Rhine`, said State Secretary Atsma on the occasion of the signing.

Other elements of the MOU include a similar information exchange programmes between Rijkswaterstaat and the Pearl River water resources commission and the Taihu basin authority.

Densely populated and flood prone lowlands
The basins of the Rhine and the Huaihe resemble each other. The water from the mountains in both rivers is quickly transported to a densely populated lowlands that is prone to floods. Rijkswaterstaat can extend its knowhow about the Rhine with data and experiences of the Huaihe. China can learn from the Rhine river basin management systems used by Rijkswaterstaat.

By the knowledge gained, the scenarios that worked for the Rhine accurate. Rijkswaterstaat and Huaihe Commission go a cooperation for three years. Close to the Dutch side also knowledge Institute Deltares and the international water education-UNESCO-IHE Institute with the cooperation.

Visit to the Huaihe
State Secretary Atsma visited the flood defenses of the city of Bengdu in the catchment area of the Huaihe river. The Huaihe has a large number of locks and weirs. At extremely high tide the water is transported to one of the 25 water retention areas.

More information
Rijkswaterstaat
the Hague, The Netherlands
www.rijkswaterstaat.nl/en