The article discusses a team of Indian teenagers who won the $50,000 Earth Prize for developing an innovative flood forecasting model. Their model, called ‘Stratified Reservoir Soil Moisture Analysis,’ uses satellite data and machine learning to predict floods up to three weeks in advance with 96% accuracy. The team, consisting of Vinisha Umashankar, Geetha Manju, and Adhya Beesam, aimed to address the devastating impacts of floods in India. Their model analyzes soil moisture levels, rainfall patterns, and other factors to provide early warnings, enabling better preparedness and response. The judges praised the team’s innovative approach and its potential to save lives and minimize economic losses. The Earth Prize competition, organized by Anthropic, encourages young people to develop solutions for global challenges like climate change and natural disasters. The teens’ achievement highlights the power of youth innovation and the potential of AI and machine learning in addressing pressing environmental issues.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/teens-win-50000-earth-prize-flood-forecasting-model-2024-8