Strengthening Thailand’s Flood and Heat Resilience with Insights from Earth Observation

Bangkok is increasingly affected by extreme heat and flash floods, which are becoming more frequent and disruptive due to climate change. These events are causing issues such as power outages, waterlogging, and rising health risks, especially in densely built-up urban areas with limited drainage capacity.

To better understand and manage this risk, the World Bank’s Nature-Based Opportunity Scan (NBOS) programme uses satellite data from Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 to map how flooding has changed over time across the city. These maps provide a clear, consistent view of which areas are repeatedly affected, offering a more efficient alternative to traditional field surveys.

By combining flood maps with building footprint data, the analysis shows where people and infrastructure are most exposed. It also includes flood depth information, which helps distinguish between shallow flooding and more severe events that can cause structural damage. Together, these insights support the planning of nature-based solutions such as wetlands, green corridors, and retention areas in the places where they are most needed.

You can find out more about this Case Study on the GDA Impact Sphere: Thailand fights floods and heat with insights from the Nature-Based Opportunity Scan (NBOS) 

Related Use Cases

• Hydro-Metereological Hazard Diagnosis
• Supporting Nature-Based Solutions in Cities