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International Integrated
Water Data Access andTransfer in Asia
(IIWaDATA) Project
Final report for APN project: ARCP2007-02CMY

The following collaborators worked on this project:
Toshio Koike, University of Tokyo, Japan, tkoike@hydra.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp
Chu Ishida, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan,
ishida.chu@jaxa.jp
IIWaDATA International Task Team members from participating
countries

International Integrated Water Data Access and Transfer in Asia (IIWaDATA)

Project Reference Number: ARCP2007-02CMY
Final Report submitted to APN

Prepared by Toshio Koike, Chu Ishida, Petra Koudelova, Oliver Saavedra,and Akiko Goda
©Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research

1Overview of project work and outcomes
Non-technical summary
In recognition of the need for accurate, timely, long-term, water cycle information asa basis for sound and effective water resources and risk management and withregards to the ongoing initiatives pursuing to meet this need, the IIWaDATA project
initiated and contributed to the development of a sustainable scheme for water cycle
data collecting, sharing, exchanging, and management at the regional level in Asia incooperation with national governments, institutes and research communities and alsointernational organizations that is consistent with the Global Earth Observation
System of Systems (GEOSS), especially its Water theme component.
Through a series of meetings, the IIWaDATA project established a mutual consensus
among the participating countries and international organizations that defines data
sharing and exchanging policy and responsibilities for data processing, management
and archiving. This strong cooperative framework has evolved into a large regional
initiative recognized by the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) as a GEOSS activity:
GEOSS Asian Water Cycle Initiative (AWCI). The IIWaDATA project further
significantly contributed to the Data Integration and Analysis System (DIAS) that was
launched in 2006 as part of the Earth Observation and Ocean Exploration System,
which is one of five National Key Technologies defined by the 3rd Basic Program for
Science and Technology of Japan.
Objectives
The main objectives of the project were:1.
To establish a mutual consensus among the participating countries thatdefines data sharing and exchanging policy and responsibilities for dataprocessing, management and archiving.
2.

To develop/adapt and implement effective tools and advanced technologies forenhanced data collecting, management, integration and dissemination
including: software for data processing, quality control, sophisticated databasesystems, data integration systems based on Internet technologies and capableof integrating data from diverse sources and various disciplines.

3.

To develop/adapt and implement specific tools and methods fortransformation of observation data and scientific knowledge into water
resources and risk management relevant information including: advanced
downscaling methods to successfully introduce the impact of the global climatechange on water cycle processes at the local scale, technologies for
information fusion to link together various features of the water cycle andother aspects of the Earth system and thus provide sound information for
decision makers, visualization tools to help to translate the scientificinformation, etc.

Amount received and number years supported
USD 86,000 (two years, 2006 - 2008)
Activity undertaken
1. Series of meetings and workshops including representatives of participating
countries, research institutes and international organizations, that led to the:• Establishment of the mutual consensus defining data sharing and exchanging
policy and responsibilities for data processing, management and archivingthat is outlined in the GEOSS AWCI Implementation Plan mentioned below.
• Establishment of the GEOSS Asian Water Cycle Initiative (AWCI) that
includes 19 Asian countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India,
Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal,
Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Vietnam) and a2

number of national and international organizations and cooperates withrelated projects on national and international level.
• Development of a capacity building program of GEOSS AWCI and initiation of
its activities.
• Development of the GEOSS AWCI Implementation Plan.
• Initiation of the GEOSS AWCI Demonstration Projects at the nominated 18
river basins in the participating countries.
2. DIAS data system development and implementation activities including:• Support to the system development through providing platform forinteraction between system software developers and a wide group of end
users including scientists, water resources managers, as well as policy- anddecision-makers.
• Contribution to development of the data analysis, integration andvisualization functions.
• Demonstration of the system structure and capabilities at the
IIWaDATA/AWCI meetings and workshops.
• Initiating upload of AWCI demonstration project basins reference site data to
the system database.
3. Work on development of downscaling techniques for producing local-to-regional
scale information from larger-scale atmospheric General Circulation Model (GCM)
data and prediction systems.
4. Organizing a special session on GEOSS AWCI and presentation of scientific papers
at the 4th Conference of the Asia Pacific Association of Hydrology and Water
Resources in Beijing, China, 3 – 5 November 2008.
Results
The project has achieved a real success in bringing together scientists, water
resources managers and policy- and decision-makers from 18 Asian countries andestablishing the mutual consensus among these countries and number of national andinternational organizations that defines data sharing and exchanging policy andresponsibilities for data processing, management and archiving (hereinafter: Data
Policy).
As a result of initial discussion that took place during the 1st and 2nd Asian Water Cycle
Symposia (held in Tokyo, Japan, November 2005 and January 2007, respectively)
and the 1st IIWaDATA International Task Team meeting (held in Bangkok, Thailand,
September 2006), a strong collaborative framework was established that evolved intoa larger regional initiative recognized by GEO and other international organizations
and institutions as GEOSS activity: GEOSS Asian Water Cycle Initiative (AWCI), which
has a longer-term outlook envisioning continued activities to help to mitigate
water-related disasters and promote the efficient use of water resources.
The GEOSS AWCI Implementation Plan was developed that is based on the agreed toData Policy. The Plan describes goals and objectives of AWCI and strategies towards
achievement of these goals that include Demonstration Project (DP) approachcoordinated with the Capacity Building (CB) program. DPs have been initiated anddata submission to the DIAS database has begun. The AWCI CB program has started
in cooperation with number of national and international organizations andinstitutions (e.g. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), University of Tokyo,
United Nations University (UNU), the International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk
Management (ICHARM), Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), and others).
The project has helped in development/upgrading the DIAS system and begun toprovide valuable hydrometeorological and other water-cycle related data to its
database. Through the DIAS system, the data is freely available to anyone free ofcharge through the Internet.

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The project has stimulated and supported development of downscaling techniques for
producing local-to-regional scale information from larger-scale GCM data andprediction systems (e.g. advanced Distributed Hydrological Models (DHM)) andinitiated implementation of these techniques in the GEOSS AWCI demonstration DPs.
The results of some of the GEOSS AWCI demonstration projects were presented at the
AWCI special session of the 4th conference of the Asia Pacific Association of Hydrology
and Water Resources in Beijing, China, 3 – 5 November 2008.
Relevance to APN’s Science Agenda and objectives
This project focused on the Asian water cycle variability within the context of a global
climate and the impact of this variability on water resources, which is relevant to the“Climate” and “Use of resources” areas of the APN Science Agenda. While the datasystem developed with contribution from this project facilitates the research into thewater cycle variation, an emphasis was also put on the component that enables
improved transformation of the scientific knowledge to the decision-makers andsupports the IWRM strategies for sustainable development of water resources.
The establishment of the strong collaborative framework (including 18 countries) thatevolved into a large regional initiative, GEOSS AWCI, which also serves as a platform
for enhanced interactions between scientists and policy- and decision-makers, iscompliant with the APN Policy Agenda.
Self evaluation
We feel that the project has been very successful. Especially the establishment of the
GEOSS AWCI collaborative framework built upon the agreed to Data Policy rules andwith a great potential for continued work on collecting and processing water cycle
information as a basis for sound and effective water resources and risk management
is an important achievement. Enhanced discussion facilitated by number of held
meetings and workshops has led to a well structured GEOSS AWCI Implementation
Plan that clearly describes the AWCI strategy including its CB program, collaboration
with national and international organizations and institutions and their related
on-going projects, and the demonstration project approach. Significant is also
contribution to the DIAS data system. The project also supported work on thedownscaling techniques and prediction system tools and adapt them for the use in the
GEOS AWCI demonstration projects. It should be mentioned here that thedemonstration projects in various countries are at different stage ofdevelopment/implementation, which is caused by different situations in individual
countries in terms of data collection and archiving strategies and policies for data
dissemination, technologies and systems employed in the meteorological andhydrological forecasting, policies and methodologies used for water-related issues
decisions and disaster mitigation, etc. These discrepancies are reflected in theindividual approach to the demonstration projects and in the GEOSS AWCI capacity
building program.
Potential for further work
The IIWaDATA project established a framework and a consensus that are essential for
effective collaboration on the regional level aiming at better understanding of themechanism of variability in the Asian water cycle and improving its predictability, andfurthermore interpreting the information applicable to various water environments indifferent countries in Asia, then helping to mitigate water-related disasters andpromote the efficient use of water resources. Research, engineering, and capacity
building activities focused on the above issues will continue under the established
GEOSS AWCI as stated its Implementation Plan. In addition, similar collaborative
frameworks are likely to be established in other regions of the world (e.g. Africa) inorder to cope with the water cycle related challenges in a more effective way
benefiting from the latest scientific knowledge, advanced technologies andinternational cooperation.

4

Publications
The GEOSS/AWCI Implementation Plan (draft version, July 2007), available throughthe Internet at: http://monsoon.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/AWCI/ and in the Appendix B
below.
The 4th Conference of the Asia Pacific Association of Hydrology and Water Resources,
the AWCI special session, Beijing, China, 2008. Presentations:Bae, Deg-Hyo, A Comparative Study of Model-Driven Soil Moisture Estimates on the
Chungju Demonstration Basin
Kumar, Rakesh, Flood Hazard Modeling and Flood Risk Zoning for a River Basin
Weerakoon, S.B., Flood Modelling in the Mahaweli River Reach from Kotmale to
Polgolla
Sae-Chew, Winnai, A study of Disastrous Flash Flood in Khlong U-Tapao River Basin
Utilizing a Combined Physical and Mathematical Simulation Model
Tinh, Dang Ngoc, An application of numerical weather forecast and satellite rainfall
prediction to flood forecasting
Wang, Yi, Assessment of Soil Moisture Dynamics and Storm-induced Landslides
Hazard in Forest Landscapes
Fukami, Kazuhiko, Experiences of Japan in flood risk management and theintroduction of Integrated Flood Analysis System (IFAS)
Sukhapunnaphan, Thada, Appropriate flood warning system in Northern Thailand
Loebis, Joesron, Application of Distributed Hydrological Model for Mamberamo River
Basin for Flood Assessment and Management
Saavedra, Oliver, Applications of a Distributed Hydrological Model to the AWCI
Demonstration River Basins
Phonvisai, Phengkhamla, Decentralized Wastewater Management in Urban Area:
Case Study in Vientiane Lao PDR
Hoque, Bilqis, Water Contamination and Realization of Millennium Development Goal
(MDG) in Bangladesh: Where are we?
Kaihotsu, Ichirow, Surface Soil Moisture behaviors in the Mongolian plateau for theLast Six YearsAi, Likun, Drought monitoring and studying in Monsoon Asia under the framework of
Asian Water Cycle Initiative (GEOSS/AWCI)
Khanh, Duong Van, Current status of drought and water scarcity and the proposed
issues for water resources management of Vietnam
Hilario, Flaviana, Climate Trends/Change in the Philippines
Lee, Byong-Ju, Climate Change Impact Assessments on Water Resources over the
Chungju Dam Basin using Multi-Model Ensemble
Rahman Mafizur, Assessing Drought Scenario in Bangladesh
References
See the Reference section below the Technical Report on page 27.
Acknowledgments
In addition to the support from APN, which made the IIWaDATA project possible, wewould like to thank the following organizations and institutions for their scientific andtechnical contribution as well as financial and in-kind support to the activities
undertaken by this project and for their continued collaboration with AWCI.
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT), Japan;
University of Tokyo, Japan; Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan;
United Nations University (UNU); the International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk
Management (ICHARM), Japan; Office for Coordination of Climate Change
Observation (OCCCO), Japan; Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology(JAMSTEC), Japan; Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand; Kasetsart
University, Thailand; and others.

5Technical Report
Preface
About 60% of the world population lives in Asia, and their various social activities
including agriculture depend on the bountiful Monsoon rain. At the same time, thewater cycle variation in Asia can be the cause of droughts and floods, andconsequently, may be responsible for enormous human and economic damages. We
need to better understand the mechanism of variability in the Asian water cycle and to
improve its predictability, and furthermore to interpret the information applicable tovarious water environments in different countries in Asia, then to help to mitigate
water-related disasters and promote the efficient use of water resources.

Table of Contents
Preface………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….6
1. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..7
1.1

Water Related Issues in Asia……………………………………………………………………….7

1.2

GEO and GEOSS…………………………………………………………………………………………..8

1.3

Motivation for the IIWaDATA Project and Objectives………………………………….8

2. Methodology, Approaches, and Implementation Strategy……………………………………..9
2.1

Establishment of GEOSS AWCI……………………………………………………………………9

2.2

Observation Convergence, Data Integration, and Information Sharing……11

2.3

Capacity Building Program…………………………………………………………………………16

2.4

Demonstration Projects……………………………………………………………………………..17

2.5

Working Groups………………………………………………………………………………………….20

3. Results and Discussion…………………………………………………………………………………………..22
3.1

Establishment of regional collaboration – GEOSS AWCI……………………………22

3.2

Data Integration and Analysis System (DIAS)…………………………………….……23

3.3

Downscaling techniques and tools and CB activities for IWRM practices.. 24

4. Conclusions…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….25
5. Future Directions…………………………………………………………………………………………………….25
References………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….27
Appendix A: Glossary of Acronyms..………………………………………………………………………….28
Appendix B: GEOSS AWCI Implementation Plan.……………………………………………………..30
Appendix C: Meetings…………….………………………………………………………………………………….86
Appendix D: Funding sources outside APN……………………………………………………………….98

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1. Introduction
1.1 Water Related Issues in Asia
More than 60% of the world population live in Asia associated with the rapid economic
growth. The Asian monsoon, which is the largest water circulation system in the world,
provides substantial water resources which supports to the food production, energy
generation and even transportation in Asia, and causes serious water related
problems due to the large seasonal and inter-annual variability of the monsoon
rainfall.
Floods are very serious common problems in Asia. More than 80% of the loss ofhuman lives by flood in the world occurs in Asia. The expansion of urbanization in Asia
is accelerating flood economic damages considerably. Since many Asian countries
locate in the tectonic zones, landslides and mudflows are also common natural
disasters in Asia.
The Asian monsoon usually provides rich water environment. At same time, its large
seasonal and inter-annual variation sometimes leads to severe drought damages in
the water consuming societies. The high rate of the population increase is exhausting
the water resources and the water scarcity would be a serious issue in the near future.
Excessive water use also affects the water quality and ecosystem. Especially, severe
health effects have been observed in populations drinking arsenic-rich water overlong periods in some of Asian countries, including Bangladesh, China, India, andThailand. Over the last decade, it has been recognized that healthy aquatic
ecosystems provide tangible economic and social benefits. It is important tounderstand the drivers and status of ecosystem degradation and the need forwatershed restoration in order to improve water productivity across the Asia.
The global warming is changing the water cycle. Heavier rainfall events and larger
interannual variations are predicted to be likely to happen according to the“radiative-convective equilibrium”. Global warming is considered to makeconsiderable impacts on such a vulnerable region, Asia, where the percentage ofcompletion of river developments is still critically low compared to the high potential
water-related hazards.

Figure 1: The Water-related Issues in Asia7

1.2 GEO and GEOSS
At the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in 2002, world leaders
proclaimed the need "to promote the development and wider use of Earth observation
technologies." Following the discussions at the Earth Observation Summits held in
Washington DC and Tokyo, the Brussels Summit established the Group on Earth
Observation (GEO) and endorsed the 10 Year Implementation Plan for the Global
Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). The goal of GEOSS is to achievecomprehensive, coordinated, and sustained observations of the Earth system toimprove monitoring of the changing state of the planet, increase understanding ofcomplex Earth processes, and enhance the prediction of the impacts of environmental
change. GEOSS will meet the need for all nations to benefit from access to timely,
quantitative, and high-quality long-term global data and information as a basis forsound decision making (Fig. 2). "Improving water resource management throughbetter understanding of the water cycle" is one of the nine socio-benefit areas,
including Disasters, Human Health, Energy Management, Climate Variability andChange, Water Cycle, Weather, Protection of Ecosystems, Agriculture, andConserving Biodiversity.

Figure 2: Structure of GEOSS Functions
1.3 Motivation for the IIWaDATA Project and Objectives
The water related issues in Asia outlined above are common to many countries andare in many cases trans-boundary. Therefore international cooperation on theregional level is essential for successful coping with these issues. With coming of
GEOSS, the benefit of international collaboration is even more profound. Since theissues in Asia are not only common within the region but also specific for the region,
it is obvious that an initiative at the regional level under the global GEOSS framework
will be most effective in dealing with these issues while making maximum use of the
Earth observations and the advanced capabilities provided by GEOSS. The compliancewith the GEOSS framework and its objectives is crucial as it means the adherence to:(i) convergence and harmonization of observation activities, (ii) interoperability
arrangements, and (iii) effective and comprehensive data management, the threeessentials for efficient exploitation of the Earth observation for further research aswell as for decision support.
In order to initiate such regional collaboration, the IIWaDATA project was proposedwith following guiding goals and objectives.

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Guiding goals:(1) To improve knowledge and enhance prediction of the Asian water cycle variation
through integrated observation systems and advanced data management andprocessing capabilities that will assure an easy access to relevant data in theproper format and to the desired extent to research communities;(2) To make a contribution toward the sustainable human development in the region
through development of methods and tools for effective transformation of global
and regional observation information and scientific knowledge into information
relevant for local water resources and risk management and facilitated transfer ofsuch information to national policy- and decision-making groups.
Specific objectives:(1) Establishment of a mutual consensus among the Asian countries that will define
data sharing and exchanging policy and responsibilities for data processing,management and archiving;(2) Establishment of an observation convergence strategy in the Asian region;(3) Development/adaptation of effective tools for enhanced data collecting and data
management including: software for data processing, quality control and format
conversion, sophisticated database systems, and other tools;(4) Development/adaptation of advanced technologies for data integration and data
dissemination to research groups including: data integration systems based on
Internet technologies and capable of integrating data from various sources suchas satellite, in-situ, and model output data, metadata schemes following ISO
standards, etc.;(5) Development/adaptation and implementation of specific tools and methods forfacilitated transformation of observation data and scientific knowledge into water
resources and risk management relevant information including: advanced
downscaling methods to successfully introduce the impact of the global climatechange on water cycle processes at the local scale, technologies for information
fusion to link together various features of the water cycle and other aspects of the
Earth system and thus provide sound information for decision makers,
visualization tools to help to translate the scientific information, etc.

2. Methodology, Approaches, and Implementation Strategy
2.1 Establishment of GEOSS AWCIThe collaborative framework that has evolved into the regional GEOSS Asian Water
Cycle Initiative (AWCI) had been established through a series of meetings andworkshops. One of the first events was the 1st Asian Water Cycle Symposium (AWCS)
held in Tokyo, November 2005, where representatives of hydrological andmeteorological organizations and science communities in Asia gathered together, andbegan to discuss about how to address the water-related issues in Asia in cooperative
ways by making maximum use of GEOSS. It was the initial step of the IIWaDATA
project.
The participants of the Symposium recognized the common water-related issues andsocio-economic needs as described in Introduction (section 1.1). They shared ideason the large natural variation of the Asian monsoon and the big impacts of the humanactivities in Asia as their backgrounds. To address these issues, they considered thatwell coordinated scientific and operational challenges and efforts should be launchedby making maximum use of the GEOSS, which is leading convergence andharmonization of observation activities, interoperability arrangements, and effective
and comprehensive data management. Then, they agreed to establish a basic plan for“Asian Water Cycle Initiative (AWCI) contributing to GEOSS” and to organize anInternational Task Team (ITT) for drafting an Implementation Plan.
The full development of the ITT activities in 2006 was also stimulated by acceptanceof the IIWaDATA project proposal by APN in April 2006. The 1st ITT meeting was

9organized in Bangkok, Thailand, in September 2006 following the International
Workshop on Capacity Building "Earth Observations in the service of Water
Management" held at the same venue. Based on the discussions at these events, abaseline of the Implementation Plan for the GEOSS AWCI was formulated that focusedon observation convergence, data integration, and information sharing.
This baseline was proposed and fully approved at the 2nd Asia Water Cycle Symposium(AWCS) in Tokyo, in January 2007. In addition, the need for a well-defined capacity
building program of GEOSS AWCI was recognized and a basic framework of suchprogram proposed. The GEOSS AWCI goals and strategic implementation was thensummarized in the following:
By facilitating “observation convergence, data integration, information sharing”
and promoting “capacity building”, GEOSS AWCI is aiming for:1) Development of an information system of systems for promoting theimplementation of integrated water resources management (IWRM);
2) Making a bridge between the data and information from the global scale
to a river basin scale for sound decision making; and shifting fromresearch activities and achievements to operational use for contributing
to societal benefits.
Also, an effective organization of the AWCI activities was discussed and this
discussion resulted in adopting two approaches: “demonstration approach” and“working group approach”. The demonstration approach meant to begin withsmall-scale projects and to show early success stories to stakeholders after intensive
implementation. As the first step, one river basin was selected from each participating
country as a target of a Demonstration Project (DP). The working group (WG)
approach reflected the wide range of water-related issues in Asia and yielded three
WGs including: (i) Flood and Landslides, (ii) Drought and Water Scarcity, and (iii)
Water Quality. Each WG covers the both main GEOSS AWCI foci, i.e. “observation
convergence, data integration, information sharing” and “capacity building” and is
strategically involved in DPs.
Another key feature of GEOSS AWCI is “adopting and adapting existing capabilities
and close collaboration with related on-going projects”, which is perceived as themost effective approach. Therefore a number of national research institute andinternational organization experts were invited to the Symposium and presented
various on-going activities and projects and available capabilities that were suitablefor collaboration with and application for the GEOSS AWCI activities. Following the
Symposium, a survey was carried out to identify available resources for capacity
building and existing capabilities for adopting in the GEOSS AWCI activities.
In order to assure proper coordination of the AWCI activities and continue withpreparation of the AWCI Implementation Plan, the Symposium established theInternational Coordination Group (ICG) consisting of the nominated national
representatives, the elected WG co-chairs, invited experts, and the GEOSS AWCISecretariat members.
The 1st ICG meeting was held in Bali, Indonesia, in September 2007, where progressof each country as well as WG activities was reported and the contents and procedureof the DP implementation plan were discussed. The baseline of the AWCI
Implementation Plan that was expanded and updated at the 2nd AWCS in January andthis event was confirmed and a timeline for the full plan document development was
outlined.
The structure of the full AWCI Implementation Plan was presented, discussed, andagreed on at the 3rd Asian Water Cycle Symposium that was held in Beppu, Japan,
December 2007 as one of the open events of the 1st Asia-Pacific Water Summit. The
first draft of the Plan then followed and was also introduced at the 1st APN and GEOSS

10AWCI Scoping Workshop held in Tokyo, Japan, in April 2008. The GEOSS AWCI
website was opened shortly after the 3rd AWCS in Beppu and includes the latest draftof the Implementation Plan as well as presentation material from the related events.
The site is available at: http://monsoon.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/AWCI/.
2.2 Observation Convergence , Data Integration, and Information Sharing
Observation Convergence
Observation convergence, one of the key GEOSS aspects, is essential for making
possible advanced research into the water cycle phenomena and for transformation of
the scientific findings into the information usable for policy- and decision-makers todevelop effective policies and make sound decisions in an Integrated Water Resources
Management (IWRM) manner.
GEOSS AWCI approach for converging earth observation satellites, in-situ referencesite networks, and operational observation systems, for integration of the observed
data, numerical weather prediction model outputs, geographical information, andsocio-economic data, and for dissemination of usable information is adopted from anddesigned in cooperation with the Coordinated Energy and Water Cycle Observations
Project (CEOP) of the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX), World
Climate Research Programme (WCRP) (http://www.ceop.net).
The data obtained at the CEOP reference sites in tropics, semi-arid regions, and highmountain areas in Asia is provided to GEOSS AWCI. Even though there are big
varieties in observation elements, data format, and recorded interval of the originalreference site data, CEOP can provide well quality checked data with a unified format
in cooperation with the site observers by using a Web based Quality Control (QC) andformat conversion system.
Data from sensors on board Earth observation satellites in various orbits,
polar/geostational or sun-synchronous/non-sun-synchronous, around the Earth canbe integrated to provide hydrological information, water vapor, cloud, rainfall, soil
moisture, and snow, at all spatial scales from local to global and temporal ones fromdiurnal to decadal. Moreover, model output from many Numerical Weather Prediction(NWP) centers is provided. Ten operational NWP centers and two data assimilation
centers are currently contributing to this component of CEOP.

Figure 3: GEOSS AWCI Observation Convergence11In addition to the above data provided by CEOP, meteorological and run-off data, dam
operation data, geographical information including topography, land cover, and landuse, population and socio-economic data are collected in the GEOSS AWCI DP river
basins.
Data Integration and Analysis
As originally produced by the various sources, the data is in a wide variety of formats
and structures. In response to this situation there was recognition of need for data
management systems for the collection, sharing and provision of data from whichusers can obtain precisely the data they need, whenever they want it and in formats
familiar to the science community. It is essential to transform observation data intoscientifically and socially relevant information through the systematic collection andintegration of data, merging of essential related information, and building of systems
for sharing this knowledge on an international basis. In cases in which large amountsof heterogeneous observation data are handled, this data along with socioeconomic
and other related data must be dealt with systematically in order to produce usefulscientific knowledge and translate it into information pertinent to users.
In response to this need, CEOP had developed a prototype data integration, analysis,
and dissemination system (Ikoma et al., 2007a,b,c); that has been further elaborated
and expanded into the Data Integration & Analysis System (DIAS), which waslaunched in 2006 as part of the Earth Observation and ocean Exploration System,
which is one of five National Key Technologies defined by the 3rd Basic Program for
Science and Technology of Japan. DIAS, which is now also functioning as the CEOP
centralized data integration system, provides cooperative opportunities forconstructing GEOSS AWCI data archives, and developing data integration andanalysis functions (Fig. 4). Specialized system architecture enables the managementof large amounts of complex Earth Observation data in an information-rich era.
Various observed data and numerical model outputs can be easily integrated.
Targeted data can be selected by date and region. Analyzed output can be visualized
on a display wall. Results can also be visualized in the 3D format.

Figure 4: GEOSS AWCI Data Integration System
An ontology system enables users to find target data and information from diverse
data sources. To find data with similar meanings, it is often necessary to clarify theterminology. The ontology system learns the definition. If a data name is not clear,
keywords can be input to yield several candidate data names. Standardized metadata

12are needed for exploring data, confirming its meaning and quality, and to enable it tobe widely shared. A Standardized Metadata Model is now under development incooperation with the international standardization communities in order to assure fullinteroperability of the DIAS system. The GEOSS AWCI interoperability arrangements
are shown in Figure 5. In addition to the satellite, reference site and model output
metadata design developed under by CEOP, a river basin metadata design effort has
been initiated by GEOSS AWCI that allows for proper inclusion of the GEOSS AWCI
river basin data into the database and making them fully interoperable with otherdatasets.

Figure 5: GEOSS AWCI Interoperability Arrangement

Figure 6: GEOSS AWCI Downscaling Process

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Downscaling
Water-related hazards usually occur as causes and consequences of large water cycle
fluctuations at scales of global and regional, while disasters and damages due to thehazards happen through strong linkage with human activities in a local scale. The
observations and predictions of the water-related hazards and their damages are alsoenhanced by combining global earth observation and prediction systems and local
information. In this context, "downscaling" of water cycle from global to regional andto local is one of the key integration functions that need to be implemented by GEOSSAWCI.
General Circulation Models (GCMs) currently used for predicting weather and climate
have a coarse spatial resolution, which cannot capture the details of orography andland use or resolve important cyclonic disturbances or similar-sized circulation
features. This precludes an accurate representation of precipitation on scales ofindividual grid boxes. The method for producing local-to-regional scale informationfrom larger-scale GCM data is called “downscaling” (Fig. 6). In order to makemaximum use of the global earth observation and prediction, GEOSS AWCI incooperation with international science communities and research institutions (a)adopts and adapts existing downscaling techniques and (b) develops a new dynamical
downscaling system coupled with satellite-based data assimilations (Boussetta et al.
2008) and distributed hydrological models (Wang et al., 2008; Saavedra et al., 2006;
Saavedra et al., 2008a, b, c). Through the use of the downscaling procedures, GEOSSAWCI can disseminate usable information in a river basin scale or less for decision
making on disaster mitigation and water resources planning.
Data Release and Dissemination Guidelines
The basis for the GEOSS AWCI collaborative framework that was established by the
IIWaDATA project is the mutual consensus among participating countries andinternational organizations that defines data sharing and exchanging policy andresponsibilities for data processing, management and archiving. Such consensus wasoutlined and confirmed at the early stage of the GEOSS AWCI formation, by the 2nd
Asian Water Cycle Symposium Tokyo in January 2007.
Since the large part of the GEOSS AWCI data, including the reference site and satellite
data and the NWP model outputs, are provided by WCRP/GEWEX/CEOP, it wasappropriate to adopt and adapt the CEOP Data Release and Dissemination Guidelines
for release and dissemination of GEOSS AWCI data. The following GEOSS AWCI Data
Policy was outlined at the 1st ITT Meeting in Bangkok in September 2006 and fully
proposed and agreed to at the 2nd AWCS in Tokyo, January 2007.
GEOSS AWCI Data Release and Dissemination Guidelines
1) Release of Data in Compliance with WMO Resolution 40 (CG-XII) and WMO
Resolution 25 (CG-XIII)GEOSS AWCI archives meteorological, hydrological, and related data and products in
Asia for addressing the common water-related issues in Asia. Any policy for releaseand dissemination of GEOSS AWCI data should principally comply with the WMO
policy, practice and guidelines for the exchange of meteorological, hydrological, andrelated data and products, as embodied in Resolution 40 of the Twelfth WMO
Congress 1995 (CG-XII), and Resolution 25 of the Thirteenth WMO Congress 1999
(CG-XIII); that is, free and unrestricted exchange of essential data and products.
The no-restriction principle shall in particular mean that no financial implications are
involved for the GEOSS AWCI data exchange. GEOSS AWCI data providers shalltransfer their obtained data to the Data Integration and Analysis System (DIAS) freeof charge. Also, GEOSS AWCI data archived at the DIAS shall be offered free of charge
to GEOSS AWCI data users.

142) No Commercial Use or Exploitation
It is understood that all GEOSS AWCI data shall be delivered to data users only for
scientific studies and operational uses designed to meet GEOSS AWCI objectives.
Commercial use and exploitation by neither the data users nor the DIAS is prohibited,
unless specific permission has been obtained from the data providers concerned inwriting.
3) No Data Transfer to Third Parties
One restriction which will be imposed on all data users concerns the re-export ortransfer of the original data (as received from the DIAS archive) to a third party. Such
restriction shall apply to all categories of GEOSS AWCI data, and is in the bestinterests of both the data providers and the potential users. Unrestricted copying of
the original data by multiple, independent users may lead to errors in the data andloss of identity of its GEOSS AWCI origin and is strictly prohibited.
DIAS will offer GEOSS AWCI data to potential data users through electronic means,(e.g. the internet) or other designated media (e.g. CD ROMs). The DIAS shall install
technical means to keep protocol on all data transfers to data users thus maintaining
a catalogue of all data users, and the data files they have obtained.
4) Timing for Release of GEOSS AWCI Data from the DIAS Archive
The timing issue clearly involves some conflicting aspects. The data user will
obviously be interested in obtaining data as soon as possible after the time of
measurement. The data provider as well as the DIAS will wish to ensure the highest
attainable quality of the data. The latter will generally be time consuming, particularly
in view of the shortage of manpower in many cases.
It is suggested that all GEOSS AWCI data shall be categorized into real-time use(category 1), standard (category 2), and enhanced or experimental (category 3) data.
Real-time use data shall be open in real- or near-real- time base. Standard data shallbe freely open after the basic turn-around period of six months. Enhanced orExperimental data shall be freely open after a prolonged turn-around period of 15
months at maximum.
5) Acknowledgement and Citation
Whenever GEOSS AWCI data distributed by DIAS are being used for publication ofscientific results, the data's origin must be acknowledged and referenced. A minimum
requirement is to reference GEOSS AWCI and the DIAS. If only data from one river
basin (or a limited number of river basins) has been used, additionalacknowledgement to the river basin(s) and its (their) maintaining institutions ororganizations shall be given.
Maintaining continuous, high-quality measurements, performing quality and error
checking procedures, and submitting data and related documentation to the DIAS will
require substantial financial and logistical efforts of the data providers. The necessary
support for these data providers’ activities originate from a variety of international,
national and institutional sources. The DIAS shall make proper reference to all GEOSSAWCI data providers and, if required, to their funding sources.
6) Co-operation between Data Users and Providers
Data users of GEOSS AWCI data are encouraged to establish direct contact with thedata providers for the purpose of complete interpretation and analysis of data for
publication purposes. This is in particular recommended for category 2 data.
7) Co-AuthorshipCo-authorship of data users and data providers on papers making extensive use of
GEOASS AWCI data is justifiable and highly recommended, in particular, if dateproviders have responded to questions raised about the data's quality and/or
suitability for the specific study in question, or have been involved in directly

15contributing to the paper in other ways. It is highly recommended that any data user
should contact the responsible person of the data provider and ask him/her if he/shewants to become co- author, or if an acknowledgement would be sufficient. If
co-authorship is requested, the data provider and the data user should establish abasis for collaboration.
8) GEOSS/AWCI Publication Library
Whenever GEOSS/AWCI data distributed by DIAS are being used for publication ofscientific results, the author(s) shall sent a copy of the respective publication,
preferably in electronic form, to the DIAS in order to build up a GEOSS/AWCI
publication library. DIAS will maintain this library and will it make public, for example
via DIAS's web site, for a continuous monitoring of the GEOSS AWCI data applicationsand GEOSS AWCI’s achievements in general.
2.3 Capacity Building Program
Goal and Objectives
The goal of the Capacity Building (CB) program of GEOSS AWCI is to facilitate anddevelop sustainable mechanisms for the countries in Asia Pacific region to use
advanced earth observations systems, associated data and tools for water cycle
research and water resources management under GEOSS framework.
The specific objectives of the program are to develop capacities of the Asian countries
including:
1) Techniques for downscaling regional and global information to basin scale andto improve accuracy required by operational water management applications
through a combination of numerical forecasting and fusion of local
observations;
2) Reliable and efficient tools for conversion of the available observations anddata to useful information for flood management employing datatransformations, interpolation, classification, and estimation algorithms.
3) Methodologies for conversion of information to water resources management
applications, both for operational use and scenario based assessments forplanning purposes.
The initial focus areas of the program have been selected as floods, water quality anddroughts.
Target groups
The GEOSS AWCI CB program recognizes three main target groups:
1) Researchers & Scientists, where the emphasize is customizing existingknowledge to suit local conditions supported by global experiences;
2) Professionals & Practitioners, which focuses on introducing new methodologies,
tools and standards;
3) Administrative & Local government officials, who are to be provided an
overview of existing technology and science.
Different capacity development tools and programs will be combined to reflect therelevant emphasize and coverage for each target group.
Methodology
The program is being developed and used concurrently in support of applications in 18
Asian river basins proposed to be studied within GEOSS AWCI demonstration projects
for clarification of basin water cycle and the development of appropriate water
management practices. The training and capacity development program consists ofelements such as short term training & long term training, online training materials,
examples or modules, research opportunities, technical advise on existing projects,
access to data and access to software. It emphasizes sustainability and the need to16customize technologies to suit local conditions by carefully setting up teams in eachcountry made up of leading educational and research institutes and responsible
government organizations that would function as core teams to ensure the future
development and enhancement of the methodologies and incorporation of them tonational programs.
Institutions
United Nations University (UNU), Tokyo, Japan will coordinate the CB program of
AWCI in collaboration with the University of Tokyo, JAXA, ICHARM, AIT and otherregional and national academic, research and governmental institutes that are
identified though a resource survey.
Conceptual Diagram
The approach of the GEOSS AWCI CB program is depicted below for capacity
development in flood risk reduction as an example.

SOCIETY

Applications

SCIENCE

Information
RainfallObservation
Computation

Forecasting/Warning

Response

Flood Estimates
Model Parameters
Elevation
Roughness
Soil moisture

Risk Management/Mitigation

Vulnerability
Buildings
Infrastructure

Observations
RainfallLand cover
Elevation
CloudsTemperature

Groundwater
Risk
AssetsInfrastructure

Capacity Development

MICROSCALE

MACROSCALE

Figure 7: Conceptual Diagram of Flood Risk Reduction Capacity Development

2.4 Demonstration Projects
Demonstration Approach
GEOSS AWCI is a new challenge to lead in the solution of the water-related problems.
It is effective to start with small-scale projects and to show early success stories tostakeholders after intensive implementation. As the first step, one river basin was
selected from each participating country as a target of a demonstration project (DP),according to the following criteria:

17

1)
2)

3)

4)

Importance of the basin from the viewpoint of the socio-economic benefit areaand hydrological sciences
Minimum requirement of data availability:a. Data type: rainfall, streamflow, weather station data (air temperature, windspeed, pressure, humidity);b. Spatial density of observation stations: according to the WMO standards but
local specifics are to be considered;c. Watershed characteristics information.
Highly expected data:
d. Upper air observation is highly recommended;e. Near-real time data availability is highly recommended;f. Ground water and water quality data availability are essential for the river
basins where those problems should be addressed.
Size of the watershed: 100 km2 – 1,000,000 km2

So far, 18 river basins were selected as DP targets. The location of the DP river basinsare shown in Figure 8 (Please note that the 18th basin in Malaysia, Langat river basin,
has not been included in the figure below).

Figure 8: Location of the demonstration river basinsOnce a DP river basin was selected for each country according to the requirements
described above, each country representative was asked to fill out a basin templatethat attempted to retrieve a description of the nominated DP basins and theirimplementation plans in 5 key sections as described below.
1) Background, targeted issues and objectives
In this section a brief introduction to the river basin including major issues, latest
event when the issue was evident, targets to be addressed through demonstration,and objectives are included.
2) River basin characteristics
A brief description of basin characteristics including climate regime, topographicalfeature, dominant land use and soil type, and socio-economic information is provided
in this section. Moreover, the geographic coordinates (longitude and latitude), which18enclose the basin, were requested. Additionally, a river basin map in a JPEG format
was to be provided in order to illustrate the basin extension, river network andavailable observation stations.
3) Observation system
A template chart was provided asking for a number of stations available in the basin
for the most relevant and expected variables. The location of observation sites was
included in the river basin map according to the possibility of each representative.
4) Models, GIS, Data Integration Systems, and Prediction Systems
In this section, the available hydrological and meteorological models, GIS, data
integration systems, and prediction systems are included. Also, the current means offlood and/or drought forecasting and water quality monitoring is mentioned.
5) Implementation Schedule of the Demonstration
This template timeline chart was proposed to propose an implementation schedule ofthe demonstration. The activities selected in the chart are the most representative inorder to meet the goals of our approach.
The above DP river basin information has been already submitted by 18 countries assummarized in Table 1 below.
Table 1: GEOSS AWCI DP Rive basins
Country

River Basin

Area[km2] Main Issues

DP Objectives

Bangladesh Meghna

61,021

Floods, Drought Flood forecasting using DHM

BhutanPunatsangchhu

13,263

FloodsCambodia

Sangker

2,961

FloodsIndia

Seonath

30,760FloodsIndonesia

Mamberamo

78,992

Floods

Japan

Tone

3,300

Floods

Korea

Chungju-dam

6,662

FloodsLao PDR

Sebangfai

8,560

FloodsMalaysia

Langat2,350

Mongolia

Selbe

303

Myanmar

Shwegyin

1,747

Adequate flood warning system
Study of an impact of flash floods
and IWRM practices
Quantitative precipitation
forecast (QPF) and probability of
precipitation (PP)
Flood forecasting
Forecast of optimal dam
operation using QPF
Optimal dam operation and floodrisk reduction using forecast
Reduce flood impact and IWRM

Impacts of climate change on
Floods, Drought,
water resources and reservoir
Water Quality
inflow and water intake forecast
Floods, Drought,
IWRM practices
Water Quality
Floods

Early warning system for floods

Floods, Water
Effective flood and rainfall
Quality
prediction system
Floods, Drought, Flood forecasting and water
Water Quality
quality assessment

Nepal

Bagmati

3,700

Pakistan

Swat

5,894

Philippines

Pampanga

10,540FloodsEnd-to-end approach in IWRM

Sri Lanka

Kalu Ganga

2,720

FloodsMinimize flood damages by using
DHM & remote sensing (RS)ThailandMae Wang

600

FloodsFlood forecast and early warning

Uzbekistan

Chirchik Okhangaran

20,160FloodsAdequate warning system forfloodsVietnam

Huong

2,830

Floods

Efficient flood warning system

19

The full two page summaries in a unified format for all of these DP river basins areavailable in the GEOSS AWCI Implementation Plan that is included in Appendix B.
2.5 Working Groups
As it was mentioned in Section 2.1, GEOSS AWCI organizes three working groups:
flood and landslides, drought and water scarcity, and water quality. Each WG covers
both of the AWCI foci “observation convergence, data integration, information
sharing” and “capacity building” and is strategically involved in demonstration
projects. Since the 1st ITT meeting in Bangkok in September 2006, each of the GEOSSAWCI related events organized breakout sessions devoted to these working groups.
During the breakout sessions at the 2nd AWCS in Tokyo, in January 2007, theparticipants discussed and outlined WG strategic plans that are aligned with the
GEOSS AWCI DP approach as well as the CP program.
Flood and Landslides WG
The goal of this WG is to build up a scientific basis for sound decision-making anddeveloping policy options for most suitable flood risk management for each country
and region in Asia, through the full utilization of new opportunities on global, regional
and in-situ dataset under the scheme of GEOSS AWCI.
To attain the goal, it is necessary to provide methodologies, tools and basic datasets
to derive such required information to improve real-time flood forecasting system forshort-term crisis management (objective #1) and to assess flood risk andvulnerability and then to make flood scenarios for long-term integrated flood risk
management (objective #2).
From technological point of view, it has became possible to set those objectives,
based on recent scientific achievements on climatology, meteorology and hydrology
in the Asian monsoon regions such as those of the WCRP GEWEX Asian Monsoon
Experiments (GAME) and on satellite-based observation of rainfall, physical &socioeconomic quantities of earth surfaces and numerical weather reanalysis,
downscaling & prediction. It is, however, indispensable to consider the disparity inexisting resources and capabilities among different countries/regions as well as theirvaried needs and environments.
Considering the disparity of capabilities of countries in Asia, a demonstration projectat one of the GEOSS AWCI DP river basins nominated for flood issue study (seeSection 2.4) is coupled with capacity development offered by advanced global-change
research network activities and organizations in Asia. The framework of GEOSS AWCI
has already incorporated cooperation with the Coordinated Energy and Water Cycle
Observation Project (CEOP), Integrated Global Observing Strategy Partnership(IGOS-P), Monsoon Asian Hydro-Atmosphere Scientific Research and Prediction
Initiative (MAHASRI) as a part of Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX)
of WCRP, Prediction in Ungaged Basins (PUB) of International Association of
Hydrological Sciences (IAHS), and others.
Drought and Water Scarcity WG
The drought and water scarcity study is mainly based on the observation of
precipitation, temperature and soil moisture by now, such as various drought indicesand moisture indices. The satellite products have not been widely used since lack of
capacity building in many Asian countries. Under the support of JAXA and Tokyo
University, the retrieved soil moisture dataset from satellite remote sensing products
are being used in the Drought WG activities, and the related countries collaborators
validate this data set by using the in-situ observation of soil moisture, precipitationand temperature. The main objectives of the Drought WG are:
1. To share and improve the drought monitoring capability in various Asian
countries such as China, Pakistan, Thailand, Nepal and Philippines

20

2. To set up a drought monitoring and research network in related Asian
countries.
3. To help developing the early warning system of drought hazard in related
countries.
Drought indices are widely used in monitoring and studying the drought, such as
Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI), Crop
Moisture Index (CMI), Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI). These indices are mainly
based on the ground observations of precipitation, temperature and soil moisture. But
the standards of definition of these indices differ in different countries and regions. In
addition, the capability of monitoring the drought is variable according to the spatial
and temporal resolution of observation stations in different countries and regions.
Because of the complexity of a soil type, vegetation type, ground water deposit, andirrigation in the area, soil moisture is a key indicator of drought monitoring besides
precipitation and temperature in the GEOSS AWCI Drought WG activities. JAXA andUniversity of Tokyo are helping to develop a set of soil moisture dataset in specificregions targeted by the WG activities in participating countries. Optical andmicrowave remote sensing datasets are being used. In many studies, microwave
products have many advantages in case of bare soil surfaces, especially in dry area.
Optical products, such as NDVI and LAI are usually used for full cover vegetation area
to understand the vegetation and soil processes. For partial vegetation cover area,
optical and microwave products are being both used in getting the high resolution soil
moisture data. The University of Tokyo and JAXA are leading activities in retrieving
the remote sensing data. The Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand, proposed adrought index called Temperature Vegetation Dryness Index (TVDI) that is calculated
from satellite derived vegetation index (NDVI) and surface temperature. TVDI index iswill be used to monitor the drought in various countries of Asia.
The participants from participating countries have begun to provide the groundobservation dataset of temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, etc. For example,
Shanxi province of China is chosen as the typical research area for drought monitoringin China. Shanxi is a typical semi-arid region with average precipitation about 500mm
per year, and it is influenced by drought hazard severely under the global warmingand human activity (carbon emission and intensive agriculture). The summer
precipitation decreased about 15% in last thirty years, There are 108 observing
stations in whole area of Shanxi (150,000 km2). The meteorological variables (T, P, W,
P, etc.) are observed four times per day. The soil temperature and moistureobservation is taking place once per ten days, and 32 stations among 108 are havingsoil observations every five days. Available observations suggest that the dry areas
are not always corresponding to the low precipitation. Accordingly, the monitoring ofdrought severity will be more accurate if the information of soil moisture andtemperature is included in the monitoring methodology. It may also be related toother factors like topography and irrigation. Other typical drought areas will beselected in Mongolia, Pakistan, Vietnam, Thailand and Nepal and similar studies
carried out under the GEOSS AWCI framework.
Water Quality WG
The overall goal of the Water Quality WG is to contribute towards sustainable
management and development of water and health. The main objective is to conducta phased research on the scopes of institutions to develop appropriate water quality
monitoring program for domestic water in developing countries in Asia anddisseminate the results. The specific objectives during the first phase include:
1. Analysis of the roles, capacities, practices, policies, methods (and indicators),
synergies, and needs in monitoring WQ by main water concerned institutions
in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Vietnam, who were actively involved and in thewater quality WG deliberations and plan preparations. Other countries

21

2.
3.
4.
5.

participating in the GEOSS AWCI activities are expected to join the water
quality team in the near future.
Identification and comparison of the common and specific problems as well as
the related best approaches in water quality monitoring in the said three
countries.
Conducting of a formative/indicative research to investigate preliminary
appropriate water quality monitoring options for domestic water by in-situ andsatellite measurements based on selected specified indicators.
Incorporating the results and experiences gained here into and establishing ofcloser collaboration with other activities of GEOSS AWCI.
Develop policy recommendations on how the institutions and countries canmake attempts for appropriate water quality monitoring in the three countries
in particular and in other countries of the region in general.

The methodology includes analyses of national and international literatures and,regional information exchange/discussion/result finalization at 2-3 regional meetings
among collaborating countries as well as quarterly consultations among theinvestigators and activity leaders over the internet.
The main information to be collected include: existing WQ monitoring program andindicators (during flood and other periods), policies, roles and responsibilities by theinstitutions, needs, capacities, best practice case studies, opportunities at national
and international perspectives, and other issues. The meetings will also include
invited papers by water quality experts and GEOSS AWCI representatives from othercountries.

3. Results & Discussion
In recognition of the need for accurate, timely, long-term, water cycle information asa basis for sound and effective water resources and risk management and withregards to the ongoing initiatives pursuing to meet this need, the IIWaDATA project
initiated and contributed to the development of a sustainable scheme for water cycle
data collecting, sharing, exchanging, and management at the regional level in Asia incooperation with national governments, institutes and research communities and alsointernational organizations.
3.1 Establishment of regional collaboration – GEOSS AWCIThe project activities began with series of meetings that targeted and achieved
establishment of a regional collaborative framework focusing on the water-related
issues. The basis for effective collaboration at the regional level is the mutual
consensus on data collection, archiving, dissemination, and sharing that was built
along the Data Policy document adopted from the CEOP project and adapted for theneeds of the project activities (see Section 2.2). This consensus, which is an
important achievement of this project, was accepted by representatives of 19
collaborating countries at the 2nd Asian Water Cycle Symposium in Tokyo.
While the said consensus including Data Policy was accepted without any objection
from the participating countries, its practical implementation in terms of data
provision to the common data archive at the Data Integration & Analysis System(DIAS) has proven to be more demanding task than expected. Especially in this initialstage of demonstration projects, the data provision process requires continuous
communication between the data archive mangers and individual data providers. The
last GEOSS AWCI ICG group meeting in Beijing, November 2008 suggested, thatfurther demonstration and explanation of the data upload procedure to the DIAS
database would be needed to expedite the data submission process.
The initial IIWaDATA activities soon expanded beyond its original scope and a large,
long-term regional initiative was established that was recognized by internationalorganizations and institutions as GEOSS Asian Water Cycle Initiative (AWCI). This is22

another significant success of the IIWaDATA project. The scope of GEOS AWCI issummarized below and schematically depicted in Figure 9.
GEOSS AWCI promotes observation convergence by making seamless access tothe data from earth observation satellites, in-situ reference site networks, andoperational observation systems, integrates the observed data, numerical
weather
prediction
model
outputs,
geographicalinformation,andsocio-economic data, and disseminates usable information for sound decision
making of water resources management against flood and landslide, drought andwater scarcity, water pollution and ecosystem degradation, and impacts of theclimate change on water.
GEOSS/AWCI enforces capacity for a broader community to generate, interpretand utilize value-added products from the observations, beyond training of
qualified technical personnel to operate the observing instruments, bycoordinating requests from participating countries and potential capabilities of
supporting organizations and on-going and/or planed projects.
GEOSS AWCI International Coordination Group (ICG) consisting of international
science communities, space agencies, and water-related ministries and agenciesof the participating countries, takes a strategic demonstration approach. By
showing success stories created through demonstration projects to decision
makers, GEOSS AWCI will shift the emphasis from scientific challenges tooperational applications to yield the societal benefits and establishes confirmed
water management infrastructure against the water related problems.

Figure 9: GEOSS AWCI Structure
3.2 Data Integration and Analysis System (DIAS)
The IIWaDATA project activities also contributed to the Data Integration and Analysis
System (DIAS), developed as part of the Earth Observation and Ocean Exploration
System, which is one of five National Key Technologies defined by the 3rd Basic
Program for Science and Technology of Japan. The University of Tokyo, one of the23

members of GEOSS data integration analysis alliance is leading DIAS. DIAS supports
GEOSS AWCI to realize observation convergence, data integration and data andinformation sharing. Diverse and large-volume Earth observation data is archived bya well-managed data infrastructure where user can explore targeted data andinformation and analyze and integrate them easily and effectively. A metadata
directory system, coupled with ontology systems of dictionary and geographicalinformation, supports users to understand the meaning of the data and information
across various disciplines and geographical locations.
DIAS system also provides user-friendly on-line tools for data providers that simplify
and expedite the data submission procedure and enable interactive and detailed data
quality assessment and corrections of data already in the DIAS database (Ikoma et al.
2007a,c; Tamagawa et al. 2007a,b, 2008).
The IIWaDATA project brought people together and provided opportunities forexchanging ideas and information between the system developers and system users(scientists, water resources managers and policy- and decision-makers) and thus thedevelopers had the valuable end user feedback. Furthermore, introducing a new
structure of the datasets into the system – all relevant and available data within ariver basin including the basin and river network characteristics – stimulated andcontributed to the further enhancement of the system metadata models. The key
contribution to DIAS and through it to all of its users is, of course, the provided data
itself. As mentioned above, the data provision process has begun but it is still in theinitial stage and thus the amount of data already available in the system is very
limited. We suppose this will significantly improve in the near future, at least within
2009.
3.3 Downscaling techniques and tools and capacity building for IWRM
practices
The IIWaDATA project has contributed to the downscaling system that is being
developed at the University of Tokyo and is based on dynamical downscaling approachand includes land-atmosphere satellite data assimilation system (Boussetta et al.
2008) and advanced distributed hydrological models (DHM) (Wang et al., 2008;
Saavedra et al., 2006; 2008a,b,c). The further development will also benefit from thecomplex datasets provided by the GEOSS AWCI participating countries. Especially thehydrological data including streamflow are crucial for DHM validations.
The project has also contributed development of a distributed hydrological model thatincorporates optimization scheme for dam operation (Saavedra et al. 2006;
2008a,b,c). This model was applied to the Tone River (Japan), Meghna River(Bangladesh), Pampanga River (Philippines), and Huong River (Vietnam) as initialsteps of the GEOSS AWCI demonstration projects. The results were presented at the
4th Conference of the Asia Pacific Association of Hydrology and Water Resources in
Beijing, China, November 2008 and showed the usefulness of the DHM applications asa reference tool for water resources management. For example, dam operation in
upper Tone river showed effective flood reduction downstream and replenishment ofwater at reservoirs. Meghna River model was set-up using Global data set and TRMM
data, which showed useful for flood forecast. Optimal dam operation was achieved
maximizing the hydroelectricity production in Philippines. Flood and flood inundation
simulation of Huong River was reached.
The project has triggered discussions on capacity building needs vs. available
resources and provided opportunity for country representatives and science andtechnical experts to meet and exchange information and ideas and to identify what
and where the needs are and what and where are the available resources. This activity
has resulted in formulation of a complex capacity development program of GEOSSAWCI as explained in Section 2.3. Various activities under this program have alreadybeen undertaken, e.g. DHM training courses in cooperation with the University of24Tokyo; a number of Sentinel Asia miniprojects provided by JAXA have been devoted
to the GEOSS AWCI activities, and others.

4. Conclusions
The IIWaDATA project activities were aimed at:
1. Improving knowledge and enhancing prediction of the Asian water cycle variation
through integrated observation systems and advanced data management andprocessing capabilities that would assure an easy access to relevant data in theproper format and to the desired extent to research communities;
2. Making a contribution toward the sustainable human development in the region
through development of methods and tools for effective transformation of global
and regional observation information and scientific knowledge into information
relevant for local water resources and risk management and facilitated transfer ofsuch information to national policy- and decision-making groups.
The initial step of the project was establishment of a solid collaboration framework at
the regional level that would make the striving for above aims possible. The project
organized several meetings, usually in conjunction with related events, which
provided opportunity for extensive and intensive deliberations among a large group of
government representatives, scientists, practitioners, and experts with experiencesfrom various fields but with common interest in the Asian water cycle variations andtheir impact on water resources and water-related risk management. The extended
discussion on the mutual consensus regarding the data collecting, archiving,
dissemination, and sharing and on the structure of the collaborative framework lasted
about one and half year. Nevertheless, this proved to be a good investment thatyielded a strong and long-term coordinated effort that has been recognized byinternational organizations as GEOSS Asian Water Cycle Initiative (AWCI).
Establishment of GEOSS AWCI, which currently includes 19 Asian countries and anumber of national and international organizations and research institutions,development of the GEOSS AWCI Implementation Plan, and initiation of its activities
aiming at the above goals is the key achievement of this project.
In parallel with the efforts dedicated to the establishment of GEOSS AWCI, the project
was involved in and contributed to the Data Integration and Analysis System (DIAS),
which is an essential tool enabling the proposed advanced research studies andactivities focusing on effective transformation of observation information andscientific knowledge into information relevant for local water resources and risk
management. Development of other important tools including downscaling
techniques and advanced hydrological models was also supported by the project.
At the very beginning of the project activities, it was realized that a coordinatedcapacity building program is indispensable for successful accomplishments of thestated objectives. The GEOSS AWCI CB program was developed based on theidentified needs in individual countries and available resources within GEOSS AWCI
group.

5. Future Directions
GEOSS AWCI has a great potential for long-term continuation in activities initiated by
the IIWaDATA project and implementation of further activities and projects
contributing to the IIWaDATA goals.
The GEOSS AWCI Demonstration Projects have been launched and are expected to becompleted by the end of 2011 (see the GEOSS AWCI Implementation Plan draft in
Appendix B). Based on the DP results, further activities will be proposed that will befocused on moving from research to operational phase in terms of water resources
and risk management.
Also the GEOSS AWCI capacity development program activities are on-going as
proposed in the Plan. The working groups have proposed research- and capacity

25

building-oriented projects to the APN CAPaBLE and ARCP programs and three projects
have been accepted and are currently on-going:
ARCP2008-13NMY-Fukami
Flood Risk Management Demonstration Project (phase 1) under the Asian
Water Cycle Initiative for the Global Earth Observation System of Systems(FRM/AWCI/GEOSS)This project will contribute to GEOSS within the context of the GEOSS Work Plan for
2007–2009: (i) WA-06-07: Capacity Building Program for Water Resource
Management. It will support the work of flood risk reduction research of AWCI, which
will assess regional vulnerability of natural and human systems from floods underchanging environmental conditions and will contribute to the development of policy
options for appropriate local and regional responses. The project will also contributedirectly to enhancing regional cooperation, strengthen interactions between scientists
and policy- makers and improve scientific and technical capabilities of Asian region
nations, fitting very well with the APN activity framework. Training programs on theuse of tools and data will form the basis for capacity development activities.
CBA2008-12NMY-Ishida
The Global Earth Observation System of Systems Asian Water Cycle
Initiative
Observation
ConvergenceandData
Integration(GEOSS/AWCI/OCDI)
Recognizing the commonality in water-related issues and socio-economic needs of the
Asia-Pacific region, a well coordinated regional challenge, GEOSS/AWCI/OCDI has
been organized in cooperation among the 18 countries in Asia. This project aims toprotect life and property from damages of the water-related issues in Asia, develop
integrated water management approaches for addressing the various water-related
issues comprehensively and effectively, and to share timely, quality, long-term
information on water quantity and quality and their variation as a basis for sounddecision-making of national water policies and management strategies. It will also
promote regional approaches which can lead to coordinated efforts for observationand prediction, based on common ideas on the water-related issues in Asia.
CBA2008-05NMY-Ailikun
The Capacity Building for Drought Monitoring and Studying in Monsoon Asia
under the Framework of Asian Water Cycle Initiative (AWCI)The drought study is mainly based on the observation of precipitation, temperatureand soil moisture, such as various drought index and moisture index. The satellite
products have not been widely used because of lack of capacity building in many Asian
countries. Under the support of Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) andTokyo University, the retrieved soil moisture dataset from satellite remote sensing
products will be used in this project, and the respective collaborators will validate thisdata set by using the in-situ observation of soil moisture, precipitation andtemperature. AWCI GEOSS will coordinate this regional activity, along with the flood
and water quality groups.
Moreover, the established consensus on data sharing supposes continued data
provision to the DIAS system, at least by the end of demonstration projects but
intention is to extend the data submissions beyond 2011 based on the results fromthe demonstration projects.
In addition, activities on downscaling techniques and water resources and risk
management tools are continuing at collaborating national and internationalorganizations and institutions (e.g., University of Tokyo, United Nations University,
ICHARM, AIT, etc.) and under the existing cooperative projects (e.g. CEOP).

26

References
Journal papers
Boussetta, S., T. Koike, T. Graf, K. Yang, and M. Pathmathevan, (2008), Developmentof a coupled land-atmosphere satellite data assimilation system for Improved local
atmospheric simulations, Remote Sensing of Environment, Vol. 112,
doi:10.1016/j.rse.2007.06.002
Tamagawa, K., M. Kitsuregawa, E. Ikoma, T. Ohta, S. Williams and T. Koike, (2008),
An Advanced Quality Control System for the CEOP/CAMP In-situ Data Management,
IEEE Systems Journal, Vol.2, No.3, doi:10.1109/JSYST.2008.927710.
Wang, L., Koike, T., Yang, K., Jackson, T., Bindlish, R., Yang, D. (2008), Developmentof a distributed biosphere hydrological model and its evaluation with the Southern
Great Plains Experiments (SGP97 and SGP99), Journal of GeophysicalResearch-Atmospheres. (Accepted)
Ikoma, E.，K. Tamagawa，T. Ohta，T. Koike，M. Kitsuregawa, (2007a), QUASUR:
Web-based quality assurance system for CEOP reference data ， Journal of
meteorological society of Japan，Vol.85A，461-473.
Ikoma, E.，K. Taniguchi，T. Koike，M. Kitsuregawa, (2007b), Display wall empowered
visual mining for CEOP data archive，Journal of meteorological society of Japan，
Vol.85A，545-559.
Saavedra, O., T. Koike, and D. Yang, (2006), Application of a distributed hydrologicalmodel coupled with dam operation for flood control purposes, Annual Journal of
Hydraulic Engineering, Japan Society of Civil Engineers JSCE, 50, pp 61-66.
Conference and symposia presentations
Koike, T., D. N. Kuria, L. Wang, O. C. Saavedra, (2008), A flash flood control system
based on the global earth observation system of systems (GEOSS/FFCS), The 8thInternational Conference on Hydro-Science and Engineering (ICHE08). Nagoya.
Saavedra, O., T. Koike, K. Yang, and D. Yang, (2008a), A quantitative precipitation
forecast-based real-time operation of a multi-reservoir system for flood
management. In: Predictions for Hydrology, Ecology, and Water Resources
Management: Using Data and Models to Benefit Society (ed. by J. Bruthans, K.
Kovar & Z. Hrkal), Proc. HydroPredict2008 Conference, Prague, Czech Republic.
ISBN 978-80-903635-3-3, pp 231-234.
Saavedra, O., T. Koike, D. Yang, C. T. Nyunt, D. V. Khanh, and L.C. Chau, (2008b),
Flood simulation using rainfall forecasts in the Huong River, Vietnam. HydrologicalResearch in China: Process Studies, Modelling Approaches and Applications,
Proceedings of Chinese PUB International Symposium, Beijing. IAHS Publication
322-29, pp A1-A7.
Wang, L., T. Koike, K. Yang, T. Jackson, R. Bindlish, D. Yang, (2008c), WEB-DHM: A
distributed biosphere hydrological model developed by coupling a simple biospherescheme with a hillslope hydrological model, 2008 AGU Fall Meeting, San Francisco.
Ikoma, E.，M. Yasukawa，K. Taniguchi，T. Koike，M. Kitsuregawa (2007c), Development
of data analysis tools for CEOP data archive, The 6th CEOP International
Implementation Planning Meeting and the 3rd IGWCO Planning Meeting,Washington，D.C.
Tamagawa, K., E. Ikoma, T. Ohta, M. Kitsuregawa, T. Koike, (2007a), Introduction to
the CAMP data management, The 6th CEOP International Implementation Planning
Meeting and the 3rd IGWCO Planning Meeting, Washington D.C.
Tamagawa, K., E. Ikoma, T. Ohta, M. Kitsuregawa, T. Koike, (2007b), Introduction to
In-situ Data Management and Quality Control System in Asia, The 7th CEOP
International Implementation Planning Meeting, Bali, Indonesia.
Ikoma，E., (2006), Centralized Data Integration System，The 2nd Asian Water Cycle
Symposium，Tokyo, Japan.

27

The 4th Conference of the Asia Pacific Association of Hydrology and Water Resources,
the AWCI special session, Beijing, China, 2008. Presentations:Bae, Deg-Hyo, A Comparative Study of Model-Driven Soil Moisture Estimates on the
Chungju Demonstration Basin
Kumar, Rakesh, Flood Hazard Modeling and Flood Risk Zoning for a River Basin
Weerakoon, S.B., Flood Modelling in the Mahaweli River Reach from Kotmale to
Polgolla
Sae-Chew, Winnai, A study of Disastrous Flash Flood in Khlong U-Tapao River Basin
Utilizing a Combined Physical and Mathematical Simulation Model
Tinh, Dang Ngoc, An application of numerical weather forecast and satellite rainfall
prediction to flood forecasting
Wang, Yi, Assessment of Soil Moisture Dynamics and Storm-induced Landslides
Hazard in Forest Landscapes
Fukami, Kazuhiko, Experiences of Japan in flood risk management and theintroduction of Integrated Flood Analysis System (IFAS)
Sukhapunnaphan, Thada, Appropriate flood warning system in Northern Thailand
Loebis, Joesron, Application of Distributed Hydrological Model for Mamberamo River
Basin for Flood Assessment and Management
Saavedra, Oliver, Applications of a Distributed Hydrological Model to the AWCI
Demonstration River Basins
Phonvisai, Phengkhamla, Decentralized Wastewater Management in Urban Area:
Case Study in Vientiane Lao PDR
Hoque, Bilqis, Water Contamination and Realization of Millennium Development Goal
(MDG) in Bangladesh: Where are we?
Kaihotsu, Ichirow, Surface Soil Moisture behaviors in the Mongolian plateau for theLast Six YearsAi, Likun, Drought monitoring and studying in Monsoon Asia under the framework of
Asian Water Cycle Initiative (GEOSS AWCI)
Khanh, Duong Van, Current status of drought and water scarcity and the proposed
issues for water resources management of Vietnam
Hilario, Flaviana, Climate Trends/Change in the Philippines
Lee, Byong-Ju, Climate Change Impact Assessments on Water Resources over the
Chungju Dam Basin using Multi-Model Ensemble
Rahman Mafizur, Assessing Drought Scenario in Bangladesh
Other references
Asian Water Cycle Initiative promotion movie (December 2007), DVD produced by
Prof. Toshio Koike, funded by MEXT.
DIAS, creating global knowledge and awareness to support better management of
one precious Earth, DIAS brochure, 2008.

Appendix A: Glossary of acronyms
AIT
AWCS
AWCI
CB
CEOP
CMI
DHM
DIAS
DP
GCM
GEO
GEOSS
GEWEX
IIWaDATA

Asian Institute of Technology
Asian Water Cycle Symposium
Asian Water Cycle Initiative
Capacity building
Coordinated Energy and Water Cycle Observations Project
Crop Moisture Index
Distributed Hydrological Model
Data Integration and Analysis System
Demonstration Project
General Circulation ModelGroup on Earth Observations
Global Earth Observation System of Systems
Global Energy and Water Cycle ExperimentInternational Integrated Water Data Access and Transfer in Asia

28

IWRM
ICHARM
JAXA
LAI
MEXT
OCDI
NDVI
NWP
PDSI
PP
QPF
RS
SPI
SWSI
TVDI
UT
UNU
WCRP
WMO
WSSD

Integrated Water Resources Management
International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Leaf Area Index
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology
Observation Convergence and Data Integration
Normalized Difference Vegetation Index
Numerical Weather Prediction
Palmer Drought Severity Index
Probability of Precipitation
Quantitative precipitation forecast

Remote SensingStandardized Precipitation Index
Surface Water Supply Index
Temperature Vegetation Dryness Index
University of Tokyo
United Nations University
World Climate Research ProjectWorld Meteorological Organization
World Summit on Sustainable Development

29

Appendix B: GEOSS AWCI Implementation Plan

Draft
Implementation Plan for

Global Earth Observation System of
Systems
Asian Water Cycle Initiative(GEOSS/AWCI)30

Preface
Water comprises the most basic and critical component of all aspects of human life
and is an indispensable component of the global life support system. On the whole,
the water environment is characterized by the hydrological cycle, including floods anddroughts. The widespread scarcity, gradual destruction and aggravated pollution ofwater resources in many regions have triggered a range of water crises. Nowadays,
many water related problems particularly drinking water pollution are reported invarious Asian countries. Health damage due to arsenic polluted drinking water is oneof such problems. There is an urgent need for international cooperation to overcome
the problems and secure the safe and sustainable groundwater utilization.
Additionally, global climate change and atmospheric pollution could also have an
impact on water resources and their availability.
About 60 % of the world population lives in Asia, and their various social activities
including agriculture depend on the bountiful Monsoon rain. At the same time, thevast water cycle variation in Asia can be the cause of droughts and floods, andconsequently, may be responsible for an enormous amount of human and economic
damage.
To establish a comprehensive, coordinated and sustained earth observation scheme,
an agreement for a 10-Year Implementation Plan for a Global Earth Observation
System of Systems, known as GEOSS, was reached at the Third Earth Observation
Summit held in Brussels, in February 2005; on that occasion the Group on Earth
Observation (GEO) was also formally established. “Improving water resource
management through better understanding of the water cycle” has been agreed to as
one of the targeted societal benefit areas of GEOSS.
Our goal is to better understand the mechanism of variability in the Asian water cycle
and to improve its predictability, and furthermore to interpret the information
applicable to various water environments in different countries in Asia, then to help tomitigate water-related disasters and promote the efficient use of water resources.

31

CONTENTS
Summary
1. Background
1.1 Water-related issues in Asia
1.2 GEO and GEOSS
1.3 Asian Initiative
2. Scope
3. Observation Convergence, Data Integration, and Information Sharing
3.1 Observation Convergence
3.2 Data Integration and Analysis
3.3 Data Release and Dissemination Guidelines
4. GEOSS/AWCI Capacity Development Framework
4.1 Goal and Objectives
4.2 Target Groups
4.3 Methodology
4.4 Institutions
4.5 Conceptual Diagram
5. Strategic Implementation
5.1 Demonstration Approach
5.2 Working Group Approach1) Flood WG
2) Drought WG
3) Water Quality WG
6. International Cooperation and Project Management
7. Implementation Plans for the Demonstration Projects

32Summary
There is a rapidly growing concern about the common water issues, including floodand landslide, drought and water scarcity, water pollution and environmental
degradation, climate change impacts in Asia.
Based on the regionally common and sharable ideas on the water-related issues in
Asia and their natural and socio-economical backgrounds, a well coordinated regional
challenge, “Asian Water Cycle Initiative (AWCI) Contributing to GEOSS”, has beenorganized in cooperation among 18 countries in Asia based on the series of
discussions since 2005 just after the GEO established.
The AWCI develops an information system of systems for promoting theimplementation of integrated water resources management (IWRM) through data
integration and sharing and improvement of understanding and prediction of thewater cycle variation as a basis for sound decision making of national water policies
and management strategies.
The objectives for AWCI are defined as follows:•
to develop Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approaches;•
to share timely, quality, long-term information on water quantity andquality, and their variation as a basis for sound national and regional
decision making;•to construct a comprehensive, coordinated and sustained observational
system of systems, such as prediction systems and decision support
capabilities, under the GEOSS;•
to develop capacity building for making maximum use of globally integrated
data and information for local purposes as well as for observation andcollecting data.
The AWCI is a new type of an integrated scientific challenge in cooperation withmeteorological and hydrological bureaus and space agencies. Its uniqueness is
described as follows:•
Effective combination of the architecture and data and the capacity building;•
Advanced data infrastructure availability including a river basin meta-data
registration system, a data quality control interface, and data-integration anddownscaling methods;•
A clearly described data sharing policy agreed among the participating
countries;•
Strong linkage among science communities, space agencies, and decision
makers;•Well coordination between the research communities and operational sectors
with clear strategy for transferring scientific achievements to operational use;•
Effective cooperation with international projects and cooperative
frameworks.
“Improving water resource management through better understanding of thewater cycle” is one of the nine societal benefit areas of GEOSS. GEOSS/AWCI is aregionally cooperative contribution to this socio benefit area.

33

1. Background and Origin of this Plan
1.1 Water-related issues in Asia
More than 60 percentages of the world population live in Asia associated withthe rapid economic growth. The Asian monsoon, which is the largest water circulation
system in the world, provides substantial water resources which supports to the foodproduction, energy generation and even transportation in Asia, and causes serious
water related problems due to the large seasonal and inter-annual variability of themonsoon rainfall.
Floods are very serious common problems in Asia. More than 80 percent of
the loss of human lives by flood in the world occurs in Asia. The expansion ofurbanization in Asia is accelerating flood economic damages considerably. Since many
Asian countries locate in the tectonic zones, land slides and mud flows are also
common natural disasters in Asia.
The Asian monsoon usually provides rich water environment. At same time,
its large seasonal and inter-annual variation sometimes leads to severe droughtdamages in the water consuming societies. The high rate of the population increaseis exhausting the water resources and the water scarcity would be serious issues in
the near future.
Excessive water use also affects the water quality and ecosystem. Especially,
severe health effects have been observed in populations drinking arsenic-rich waterover long periods in some of Asian countries, including Bangladesh, China, India, andThailand. Over the last decade, it has been recognized that healthy aquatic
ecosystems provide tangible economic and social benefits. It is important tounderstand the drivers and status of ecosystem degradation and the need forwatershed restoration in order to improve water productivity across the Asia.
The global warming is changing the water cycle. Heavier rainfall events andlarger interannual variations are predicted to be likely to happen according to the“radiative-convective equilibrium”. Global warming is considered to makeconsiderable impacts on such a vulnerable region, Asia, where the percentage ofcompletion of river developments is still critically low compared to the high potential
water-related hazards.

The Water-related Issues in Asia34

1.2 GEO and GEOSS
At the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in 2002, world
leaders proclaimed the need "to promote the development and wider use of Earthobservation technologies." That vision built on the outcomes of landmark
environmental summits. The need for coordinated Earth observations, and theconcept of GEOSS itself, has also been consistently reinforced by G8 Summits. The G8
nations in 2003 at Evian made a clear commitment to strengthen international
cooperation on global Earth observations, and reinforced this commitment throughthe 2005 Gleneagles Plan of Action and the 2007 Summit in Heiligendamm.
Followingthediscussions
at
the
Earth
Observation Summits held in
Washington DC and Tokyo, theBrussels Summit established theGroup on Earth Observation(GEO) and endorsed the 10 Year
Implementation Plan for the
Global Observation System of
Systems (GEOSS). The goal of
GEOSS
is
to
achievecomprehensive,
coordinated,and sustained observations of
the Earth system to improvemonitoring of the changing stateoftheplanet,increase
understanding of complex Earthprocesses, and enhance theprediction of the impacts ofenvironmental change. GEOSS
will meet the need for all nations
to benefit from access to timely,
quantitative, and high-quality
long-term global data andinformation as a basis for sounddecision making. "Improving
water resource management
through better understanding of
the water cycle" is one of theninesocio-benefit
areas,
includingDisasters,
Human
Health, Energy Management,
Climate Variability and Change,
Water
Cycle,
Weather,Protectionof
Ecosystems,
Agriculture, and Conserving
Biodiversity.

Vision of GEOSSStructure of the GEOSS Functions

1.3 Asian Initiative
Under the framework of GEOSS, representatives of hydrological andmeteorological organizations and science communities in Asia gathered together, andbegan to discuss about how to address the water-related issues in Asia in cooperative
ways by making maximum use of GEOSS.
At the 1st Asian Water Cycle Symposium (AWCS) in Tokyo, November, 2005,
the participants recognized the common water-related issues and socio-economic
needs as described above. They shared ideas on the large natural variation of the
Asian monsoon and the big impacts of the human activities in Asia as their

35

backgrounds. To address these issues, they considered that well coordinated scientificand operational challenges and efforts should be launched by making maximum useof the GEOSS, which is leading convergence and harmonization of observation
activities, interoperability arrangements, and effective and comprehensive data
management. Then, they agreed to establish a basic plan for “Asian Water Cycle
Initiative (AWCI) contributing to GEOSS” and to organize an International Task Team
(ITT) for drafting an implementation plan for demonstration projects.
Based
on
the
discussions at the first ITT
meeting and the International
Workshop on Capacity Building"Earth Observations in theservice of Water Management",
both held in Bangkok in
September 2006, a baseline
implementation plan for the
GEOSS/AWCI
demonstration
projects was proposed at the
2nd AWCS in Tokyo, in January
2007. The symposium fully
approved the baseline idea andestablished the International
Coordination
Group
(ICG)
consisting of the national
representatives
andtheworking group co-chairs forpromoting the cooperative
activities.
The 1st ICG was held in
Bali, in September 2007. The
update of each country activity
was reported and the contents
andprocedureofthedemonstration
project
implementation
plan
were
discussed,
followingtheconfirmation of the baseline
implementation plan.

AWCI Preparation Meetings

2. Scope
GEOSS/AWCI promotes observation convergence by making seamless
access to the data from earth observation satellites, in-situ reference site networks,
and operational observation systems, integrates the observed data, numerical
weather prediction model outputs, geographical information, and socio-economic
data, and disseminates usable information for sound decision making of water
resources management against flood and landslide, drought and water scarcity, waterpollution and ecosystem degradation, and impacts of the climate change on water.

36

The Data Integration and Analysis System (DIAS) at the University of Tokyo,
one of the members of GEOSS data integration analysis alliance, support
GEOSS/AWCI to realize observation convergence, data integration and data andinformation sharing. Diverse and large-volume Earth Observation data is archived bya well-managed data infrastructure where user can explore targeted data andinformation and analyze and integrate them easily and effectively. A meta data
directory system, coupled with ontology systems of dictionary and geographicalinformation, supports users to understand the meaning of the data and information
across various disciplines and geographical locations. A clearly described data policy isapproved for promoting a regional collaboration to address the common water-related
issues in Asia.

GEOSS/AWCI Observation Convergence, Data Integration, and Information Sharing
GEOSS/AWCI enforces capacity for a broader community to generate,interpret and utilize value-added products from the observations, beyond training of
qualified technical personnel to operate the observing instruments, by coordinating
requests from participating countries and potential capabilities of supportingorganizations and on-going and/or planed projects.
GEOSS/AWCI International Coordination Group (ICG) consisting ofinternational science communities, space agencies, and water-related ministries andagencies of the participating countries, takes a strategic demonstration approach. By
showing success stories created through demonstration projects to decision makers,
GEOSS/AWCI will shift the emphasis from scientific challenges to operational
applications to yield the societal benefits and establishes confirmed water
management infrastructure against the water related problems.

37

GEOSS/AWCI Structure
3. Observation Convergence, Data integration, and Information
Sharing
3.1 Observation Convergence
GEOSS/AWCI converges earth observation satellites, in-situ reference site
networks, and operational observation systems, integrates the observed data,
numerical weather prediction model outputs, geographical information, andsocio-economic data, and disseminates usable information for sound decision making
of water resources management in cooperation with Coordinated Energy and Water
Cycle Observations Project (CEOP) of the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment(GEWEX), World Climate Research Programme (WCRP).
The data obtained at the CEOP reference sites in tropics, semi-arid regions,and high mountain areas in Asia is provided to GEOSS/AWCI. Even there are big
varieties in observation elements, data format, and recorded interval of the originalreference site data, CEOP can provide well quality checked data with a unified format
in cooperation with the site observers by using a Web based Quality Control (QC) andformat conversion system.
Data from sensors on board Earth observation satellites in various orbits,
polar/geostational or sun-synchronous/non-sun-synchronous, around the Earth canbe integrated to provide hydrological information, water vapor, cloud, rainfall, soil
moisture, and snow, at all spatial scales from local to global and temporal ones fromdiurnal to decadal.
Model output from many Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) centers isprovided. Ten operational NWP centers and two data assimilation centers are
currently contributing to this component of CEOP. To assist with the organization ofthis activity, a CEOP Model Output Management Document was drafted as a guide forthe participating centers to use in setting up their processes for meeting theircommitments to CEOP.
In addition to the above data to be provided by CEOP, run-off data, dam
operation data, geographical information including topography, land cover, and landuse, population and socio-economic data are collected in the river basins targeted by
GEOSS/AWCI.

38GEOSS/AWCI Observation Convergence
3.2 Data Integration and Analysis
DIAS, which is functioning as the CEOP centralized data integration system,
provides cooperative opportunities for constructing GEOSS/AWCI data archives,
developing data integration and analysis functions, and develops the required.
Specialized system architecture enables the management of large amounts ofcomplex Earth Observation data in an information-rich era. Various observed dataand numerical model outputs can be easily integrated. Targeted data can be selectedby date and region. Analyzed output can be visualized on a display wall. Results canalso be visualized in 3D.

GEOSS/AWCI Data Integration System
An ontology system enables users to find target data and information fromdiverse data sources. To find data with similar meanings, it is often necessary to
clarify the terminology. The ontology system learns the definition. If a data name is
not clear, keywords can be input to yield several candidate data names. Standardized
meta data are needed for exploring data, confirming its meaning and quality, and toenable it to be widely shared. A Standardized meta data model is now underdevelopment in cooperation with the international standardization communities.
Water-related hazards usually occur as causes and consequences of large
water cycle fluctuations at scales of global and regional, while disasters and damages
due to the hazards happen through strong linkage with human activities in a local
scale. The observations and predictions of the water-related hazards and their
damages are also enhanced by combining global earth observation and prediction
systems and local information. In this context, "downscaling" of water cycle from39

GEOSS/AWCI Interoperability Arrangement
global to regional and to local is one of the key integration functions of the
GEOSS/AWCI.
General Circulation Models (GCMs) currently used for predicting weather andclimate have a coarse spatial resolution size, which cannot capture the details of
orography and land use nor resolve important cyclonic disturbances or similar-sizedcirculation features. This precludes an accurate representation of precipitation onscales of individual grid boxes. The method for producing local-to-regional scale
information from larger-scale GCM data is called “downscaling”. GEOSS/AWCI makes
maximum use of the global earth observation and prediction, develops a downscaling
system coupled with satellite-based data assimilations and distributed hydrologicalmodels, and disseminates usable information in a river basin scale or less for decision
making on disaster mitigation and water resources planning.

GEOSS/AWCI Down-scaling Process403.3 Data Release and Dissemination Guidelines
The large part of the GEOSS/AWCI data including, the reference site andsatellite data and the NWP model outputs, are provided by WCRP/GEWEX/CEOP. It isthus appropriate that any policy for release and dissemination of GEOSS/AWCI data
should principally follow the CEOP Data Release and Dissemination Guidelines.
1) Release of Data in Compliance with WMO Resolution 40 (CG-XII) and WMO
Resolution 25 (CG-XIII)GEOSS/AWCI archives meteorological, hydrological, and related data andproducts in Asia for addressing the common water-related issues in Asia. Any policy
for release and dissemination of GEOSS/AWCI data should principally comply with the
WMO policy, practice and guidelines for the exchange of meteorological, hydrological,
and related data and products, as embodied in Resolution 40 of the Twelfth WMO
Congress 1995 (CG-XII), and Resolution 25 of the Thirteenth WMO Congress 1999
(CG-XIII); that is, free and unrestricted exchange of essential data and products.
The no-restriction principle shall in particular mean that no financial
implications are involved for the GEOSS/AWCI data exchange. GEOSS/AWCI data
providers shall transfer their obtained data to the Data Integration and Analysis
System (DIAS) free of charge. Also, GEOSS/AWCI data archived at the DIAS shall beoffered free of charge to GEOSS/AWCI data users.
2) No Commercial Use or Exploitation
It is understood that all GEOSS/AWCI data shall be delivered to data users
only for scientific studies and operational uses designed to meet GEOSS/AWCI
objectives. Commercial use and exploitation by neither the data users nor the DIAS is
prohibited, unless specific permission has been obtained from the data providers
concerned in writing.
3) No Data Transfer to Third Parties
One restriction which will be imposed on all data users concerns the re-export
or transfer of the original data (as received from the DIAS archive) to a third party.
Such restriction shall apply to all categories of GEOSS/AWCI data, and is in the bestinterests of both the data providers and the potential users. Unrestricted copying of
the original data by multiple, independent users may lead to errors in the data andloss of identity of its GEOSS/AWCI origin and is strictly prohibited.
DIAS will offer GEOSS/AWCI data to potential data users through electronicmeans, (e.g. the internet) or other designated media (e.g. CD ROMs). The DIAS shallinstall technical means to keep protocol on all data transfers to data users thus
maintaining a catalogue of all data users, and the data files they have obtained.
4) Timing for Release of GEOSS/AWCI Data from the DIAS Archive
The timing issue clearly involves some conflicting aspects. The data user will
obviously be interested in obtaining data as soon as possible after the time of
measurement. The data provider as well as the DIAS will wish to ensure the highest
attainable quality of the data. The latter will generally be time consuming, particularly
in view of the shortage of manpower in many cases.
It is suggested that all GEOSS/AWCI data shall be categorized into real-timeuse (category 1), standard (category 2), and enhanced or experimental (category 3)
data. Real-time use data shall be open in real- or near-real- time base. Standard data
shall be freely open after the basic turn-around period of six months. Enhanced orExperimental data shall be freely open after a prolonged turn-around period of 15
months at maximum.
5) Acknowledgement and Citation
Whenever GEOSS/AWCI data distributed by DIAS are being used for
publication of scientific results, the data's origin must be acknowledged andreferenced. A minimum requirement is to reference GEOSS/AWCI and the DIAS. If
only data from one river basin (or a limited number of river basins) has been used,41

additional acknowledgement to the river basin(s) and its (their) maintaining
institutions or organizations shall be given.
Maintaining continuous, high-quality measurements, performing quality anderror checking procedures, and submitting data and related documentation to the
DIAS will require substantial financial and logistical efforts of the data providers. The
necessary support for these data providers’ activities originate from a variety ofinternational, national and institutional sources. The DIAS shall make proper
reference to all GEOSS/AWCI data providers and, if required, to their funding sources.
6) Co-operation between Data Users and Providers
Data users of GEOSS/AWCI data are encouraged to establish direct contact
with the data providers for the purpose of complete interpretation and analysis of datafor publication purposes. This is in particular recommended for category 2 data.
7) Co-AuthorshipCo-authorship of data users and data providers on papers making extensive
use of GEOASS/AWCI data is justifiable and highly recommended, in particular, if dateproviders have responded to questions raised about the data's quality and/or
suitability for the specific study in question, or have been involved in directly
contributing to the paper in other ways. It is highly recommended that any data user
should contact the responsible person of the data provider and ask him/her if he/shewants to become co- author, or if an acknowledgement would be sufficient. If
co-authorship is requested, the data provider and the data user should establish abasis for collaboration.
8) GEOSS/AWCI Publication Library
Whenever GEOSS/AWCI data distributed by DIAS are being used for
publication of scientific results, the author(s) shall sent a copy of the respective
publication, preferably in electronic form, to the DIAS in order to build up a
GEOSS/AWCI publication library. DIAS will maintain this library and will it make public,
for example via DIAS's web site, for a continuous monitoring of the GEOSS/AWCI dataapplications and GEOSS/AWCI’s achievements in general.

4. GEOSS/AWCI Capacity Development Framework
4.1 Goal and Objectives
The goal of the capacity development program of the GEOSS/AWCI is tofacilitate and develop sustainable mechanisms for the countries in Asia Pacific to use
advanced earth observations systems, associated data and tools for water cycle
research and water resources management under GEOSS framework.
The specific objectives of the program are to develop capacities of the Asian
countries for;1) Downscaling regional and global information to basin scale and to improveaccuracy required by operational water management applications through a
combination of numerical forecasting and fusion of local observations.
2) Identify reliable and efficient tools to convert the available observations anddata to useful information for flood management through data transformations,interpolation, classification and estimation algorithms.
3) Conversion of information to water resources management applications, bothfor operational use and scenario based assessments for planning purposes.
The initial focus areas of the program have been selected as floods, water quality anddroughts.
4.2 Target groups
The program recognizes three main target groups as;1) Researchers / Scientists where the emphasize is customizing existingknowledge to suit local conditions supported by global experiences422) Professional / Practitioners which focuses on introducing new methodologies,
tools and standards
3) Administrative / Local governments officials to provide an over view oftechnology and science
Different capacity development tools and programs will be combined to reflect therelevant emphasize and coverage for each target group.
4.3 Methodology
The program will be developed and be used concurrently in support ofapplications in 19 Asian Basins proposed to be studied within the Asian Water Cycle
Initiative for clarification of basin water cycle and the development of appropriate
water management practices. The training and capacity development program
consist of elements such as short term training/long term training, online training
materials, examples or modules, research opportunities, technical advise on existing
projects, access to data and access to software. It will emphasize on sustainability andthe need to customize technologies to suit local conditions by carefully setting up
teams in each country made up of leading educational and research institutes andresponsible government organizations that would function as core teams to ensure
the future development and enhancement of the methodologies and incorporation ofthem to national programs.
4.4 Institutions
United Nations University, Tokyo, Japan will coordinate the capacity
development program of AWCI in collaboration with the University of Tokyo, JAXA,ICHARM, AIT and other regional and national academic, research and governmental
institutes that are identified though a resource survey.
4.5 Conceptual Diagram
The approach of capacity development program is depicted for capacity
development in flood risk reduction as an example.
SOCIETY

Applications

SCIENCE

Information
RainfallObservation
Computation

Forecasting/Warning

Response

Flood Estimates
Model Parameters
Elevation
Roughness
Soil moisture

Risk Management/Mitigation

Vulnerability
Buildings
Infrastructure

Observations
RainfallLand cover
Elevation
CloudsTemperature

Groundwater
Risk
AssetsInfrastructure

Capacity Development

MICROSCALE

MACROSCALE

43

5. Strategic Implementation
By facilitating “observation convergence, data integration, information
sharing” and promoting “capacity building”, GEOSS/AWCI is aiming for;1) developing an information system of systems for promoting theimplementation of integrated water resources management (IWRM);
2) making a bridge between the data and information from the global scale to ariver basin scale for sound decision making; and3) shifting from research activities and achievements to operational use forcontributing to societal benefits.
To achieve these objectives, GEOSS/AWCI adopts two approaches,“demonstration approach” and “working group approach”.
Demonstration Approach
GEOSS/AWCI is a new challenge to lead in the solution of the water-related
problems. It is effective to start with small-scale projects and to show early successstories to stake holders after intensive implementation. As the first step, one river
basin is selected from each participating country as a target of a demonstration
project, according the following criteria:
1) Importance of the basin from the viewpoint of the socio-economic benefit areaand hydrological sciences
2) Minimum requirement of data availability:a. Data type: rainfall, streamflow, weather station data (air temp., windspeed, pressure, humidity）
b. Spatial density of observation stations: according to the WMO standard
but local specifics to be considered;c. Watershed characteristics information
3) Highly expected data:a. Upper air observation is highly recommended
b. Near-real time data availability is highly recommended;c. Ground water and water quality data availability for the river basins
where those problems should be addressed.
4) Size of the watershed: 100 km2 – 1,000,000 km2
So far, 17 river basins are selected as demonstration project targets. The
location and summary of the demonstration project river basins are shown as follows:

Location of the demonstration river basins

44Summary of the demonstration project river basins.

Working Group Approach
GEOSS/AWCI organizes three working groups; flood, drought, and water
quality. Each WG covers both of “observation convergence, data integration,
information sharing” and “capacity building” and address to the demonstration river
basins in a strategic way.
1) Flood WG
The goal of the flood WG is to build up a scientific basis for sounddecision-making and developing policy options for most suitable flood risk
management for each country and region in Asia, through the full utilization of newopportunities on global, regional and in-situ dataset under the scheme of AWCI(contributing to GEOSS), which was established in 20051).
To attain the goal, we need to provide methodologies, tools and basic
datasets to derive such required information to improve real-time flood forecasting
system for short-term crisis management (objective #1) and to assess flood risk andvulnerability and then to make flood scenarios for long-term integrated flood risk
management (obj. #2).

45

From technological point of view, it has been becoming possible for us to set
those objectives, based on recent scientific achievements on climatology,
meteorology and hydrology in the Asian monsoon regions such as those of GAME(GEWEX Asian Monsoon Experiments, WCRP) and on satellite-based observation of
rainfall, physical & socioeconomic quantities of earth surfaces and numerical weather
reanalysis, downscaling & prediction.
It is, however, indispensable for us to consider the disparity in existing
resources and capabilities among different countries/regions as well as their varied
needs and environments. Flood WG constructs an international/inter-organizational
cooperative field to promote research on a "demonstration project" for each different
study basin to build up the first successful implementation about the one or two above
objective(s) and to make it a good showcase to strengthen appropriate interactions
among scientists and policy-makers and to provide scientific input (corresponding to
Policy Agenda of APN Strategic Plan) for the real implementation of the systems allover the flood-prone areas in Asia.
Considering the disparity of capabilities of countries in Asia as above, thedemonstration project will be coupled with capacity development offered by advanced
global-change research network activities and organizations in Asia. The frameworkof AWCI contributing to GEOSS has already incorporated with the Coordinated Energy
and Water Cycle Observation Project (CEOP), Integrated Global Observing Strategy
Partnership (IGOS-P), Monsoon Asian Hydro-Atmosphere Scientific Research andPrediction Initiative (MAHASRI) as a part of Global Energy and Water Cycle
Experiment (GEWEX) of WCRP, Prediction in Ungaged Basins (PUB) of International
Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS), and so forth
Organizations related to global climate change having potential to provide
AWCI with technical supports have been also participated in this proposal such as the
University of Tokyo, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the United Nations
University (UNU), Kasetsart University of Thailand, Asian Institute of Technology(AIT), the International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM),
Mekong River Commission Secretariat (MRCS) and so forth.
Those will facilitate the development of research infrastructure and thetransfer of know-how and technology for flood forecasting system (objective #1),
flood risk assessment and flood scenario generation (objective #2) in this proposed
project. These activities will lead to improving the scientific and technical capabilities
of nations in the regions of Asia in terms of hydrological forecasting and planning.
2) Drought WG
GEOSS/AWCI is collaborating among 18 Asian countries in sharing the
ground observational data, and trying to support the information exchange andimprove the technology of drought monitoring and studying among these Asian
countries. The main objectives of this project are:
To share and improve the drought monitoring capability in various Asian
countries such as China, Pakistan, Thailand, Nepal and Philippines
To set up a drought monitoring and research network in related Asian
countries.
To help developing the early warning system of drought hazard in related
countries
The drought study is mainly based on the observation of precipitation,
temperature and soil moisture by now, such as various drought index and moistureindex. The satellite products have not been widely used since lack of capacity building
in many Asian countries. Under the support of JAXA and Tokyo University, theretrieved soil moisture dataset from satellite remote sensing products will be used inthese projects, and the related countries collaborators will validate this data set byusing the in-situ observation of soil moisture, precipitation and temperature. The
GEOSS/AWCI will be in charge of coordinate this regional activity, along with the flood
and water quality groups
Drought indices are wildly used in monitoring and studying the drought, suchas Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI),
Crop Moisture Index (CMI), Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI). These indices mainly

46

based on the ground observations of precipitation, temperature and soil moisture. But
the standards of definition of these indices are differed from countries and regions. In
addition, the capability of monitoring the drought are various according to the spatial
and temporal resolution of observation stations in different countries and regions.
Because of the complex of soil type, ground water deposit. irrigation andvegetation type in the area, soil moisture will be a key indicator of drought monitoring
besides precipitation and temperature in this project. JAXA (Japan Space Agency) andUniversity of Tokyo will help developing a set of soil moisture dataset in specific region
we are interested in for related countries. Optical and microwave remote sensing
datasets will be used in this project. In many studies, microwave products have many
advantages in bare surface, especially in dry area. Optical products, such as NDVI and
LAI are usually used for full cover vegetation area to understand the vegetation andsoil processes. For partly vegetation cover area, optical and microwave products will
be both used in getting the high resolution soil moisture data. The University of Tokyoand JAXA will lead in retrieving the remote sensing data. The Asian Institute ofTechnology, Thailand, proposed a drought index called Temperature Vegetation
Dryness Index (TVDI) is calculated from satellite derived vegetation index (NDVI) andsurface temperature, TVDI index will be used to monitor the drought in various
countries of Asia
The participants from related Asian countries in GEOSS/AWCI will provide theground observation dataset of temperature, precipitation and soil moisture et al. For
example, Shanxi province of China is chosen as the typical research area for droughtmonitoring in China. Shanxi is a typical semi-arid region with average precipitation
about 500mm per year, and it is influenced by drought hazard severely under the
global warming and human activity (carbon emission and intensive agriculture). The
summer precipitation decreased about 15% in last thirty years, There are 108
observing stations in whole area of Shanxi (150,000KM2). The meteorologicalobservations (T,P,W,P etc) are four times per day. The soil temperature and moistureobservation are taken place per ten days, and 32 stations among 108 are having soil
observations per five days. Figure 1 shows the summer precipitation (a), 10cm soil
moisture in summer (b), and the distribution of 108 stations in Shanxi (blue dot). We
could find the dry areas are not always matches the low precipitation, the monitoringof drought severity will be more accurate if we include the information of soil moistureand temperature. It may related to other factors like topography and irrigation. Under
the framework of GEOSS/AWCI, we will choose other typical areas in Mongolia,
Pakistan, Vietnam, Thailand and Nepal.
3) Water Quality WG
The goal is to contribute towards sustainable management and developmentof water and health. The main objective is to conduct a phased ( 2- 3 years) researchon the scopes of institutions to develop appropriate water quality monitoring programfor domestic water in developing in Asia and disseminate the results. The specificobjectives during the first year (as this proposal is detailing out first year) will include:
Analysis of the roles, capacities, practices, policies, methods (and indicators),
synergies, and needs in monitoring WQ by the water concerned main
institutions in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Vietnam.
Identification and comparison of the common and specific problems as well as
the related best approaches in WQ monitoring in the three countries
Conducting of a formative/indicative research to investigate preliminary
appropriate WQ monitoring options for domestic water by in-situ and satellite
measurements based on selected specified indicators.
Incorporating the results and experiences gained here into the GEOSS/AWCI
Suggest policy advice on how the institutions and countries can makeattempts for appropriate WQ monitoring in the 3 countries in particular and inother countries of the region in general.
The methodology will include analyses of national and international literatures
and, regional information exchange/discussion/result finalization in regional meeting
among collaborating countries. There will be three multiple country/regional meetings.
The first meeting will be between Co-chairs and lead organizations finalize the47investigation tools about preliminary WQ indicators by in-situ and satellite methods. It
will be done in the University of Tokyo.
The first regional meeting (RG-1) will be among Bangladesh, Pakistan,
Vietnam, and Japan to finalize and agree upon the country level data collection plan,
tools and reporting guidelines. It will be done in Bangladesh. The main information to
be collected will include: existing WQ monitoring program and indicators (during floodand other periods), policies, roles and responsibilities by the institutions, needs,
capacities, best practice case studies, opportunities at national and international
perspectives, and other issues. The final regional meeting (RG-2) will include:
presentation of all the results by the 3 countries, presentation of invited papers by theinvestigators and participants from other 7 developed and developing countries,
finalization of the draft results, development of technical and policy recommendations
for the countries and outline of the final report among representatives from various
institutions.
The activities under the specific objective # iii about the preliminary WQ
options will be done between RG-1 and RG-2. The indicative results and experiences
gained will be discussed in the final regional consultations to suggest its further
testing and/or other possibilities in Bangladesh as well as in the other countries in thefollowing years or by other projects. In addition to the multi-country meetings(consultations in person), there will be planned quarterly consultations among theinvestigators and chairs over internet.

6. International Cooperation and Project Management
To promote international cooperation and project management, GEOSS/AWCI
established the International Coordination Group consisting of a national
representative of each member country, working group co-chair, invited experts andsecretariat.
Country Representative
Bangladesh: Abdul Quadir (Bangladesh Ministry of Defense)
Bhutan: Karma Chhophel (Hydro-met Services)
Cambodia: So Im Monichoth (Department Hydrology and River Works)
China: Qian Mingkai (Huaihe River Commission, Ministry of Water Resources)
India: Surinder Kaur (India Meteorological Department), Rakes Kumar (National
Institute of Hydrology)
Indonesia: Joesron Loebis (Research Institute for Water Resources)
Japan: Toshio Koike (The University of Tokyo)
Korea: Deg-Hyo Bae (Sejong University)
Lao: Chanthachith Amphaychith (Lao National Mekong Committee)
Malaysia: Ahmad Jamalluddin Shaaban (National Hydraulic Research Institute of
Malaysia)
Mongolia: Davaa Gombo (Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology )Myanmar: Tin Yi/Tun Lwin (Dept. of Meteorology and Hydrology)
Nepal: Shiv Kumar Sharma (Department of Water Induced Disaster Prevention)
Pakistan: Bashir Ahmad (Water Resources Research Institute/ National Agriculture
Research Center)
Philippines: Flaviana Hilario (PAGASA/DOST)Sri Lanka: S. B. Weerakoon (University of Peradeniya)
Thailand: Thada Sukhapunaphan (Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives)
Uzbekistan: Sergey Myagkov (Hydrometeorological Research Institute)Vietnam: Dang Ngoc Tinh (National Hydro-meteorological Forecasting Center)
WG Co-chairs:
K. Fukami/S. Herath (Flood)
Ailikun/A. Dolgosuren (Drought)
B. Hoque/ H. Furumai (Water Quality)48

Invited Experts:
C. Ishida (Satellite), D. Yang (Hydrological Model), V. Hansa (Integration)
AWCI Secretariat:
A. Goda, P. Koudelova, O. Saavedra, K. Tamagawa, K. Taniguchi, K. Umezawa, K.
Misawa7. Implementation Plans for the Demonstration Projects
Once the demonstration river basin was selected for each country according to therequirements described in Chapter 5, each country representative was asked to fillout a basin template. This template attempts to retrieve a description of referencebasins and their implementation plans in 5 key sections as described below.
1)
Background, targeted issues and objectives
In this section a brief introduction to the river basin including major issues, latest
event when the issue was evident, targets to be addressed through demonstration,and objectives are expected.
2)River basin characteristics
A brief description of basin characteristics including climate regime, topographicalfeature, dominant land use and soil type, and socio-economic information was asked.
Moreover, with the geographic coordinates in longitude and latitude which encloses
the basin was requested. Additionally, a river basin map in JPEG format was asked toillustrate the basin extension, river network and the observation stations.
3)
Observation system
A template chart was provided in order be filled out with number of stations available
in the basin for the most relevant and expected variables. The location of observationsites is included in the river basin map according to the possibility of each
representative.
4)
Models, GIS, Data Integration System, Prediction System
In this section the available hydrological and meteorological models, GIS, data
integration systems, prediction systems are targeted. Also, the current means of flood
and/or drought forecast and water quality monitoring.
5)
Implementation Schedule of the Demonstration
This template timeline chart was proposed to propose an implementation schedule ofthe demonstration. The activities selected in the chart are the most representative inorder to meet the goals of our approach.
From next page please find a two-page basin template for each of the following 17
countries respectively:
Bangladesh/Bhutan/Cambodia/India/Indonesia/Japan/Korea/Laos/Mongolia/Myanm
ar/Nepal/Pakistan/ Philippines /Sri Lanka/Thailand/Uzbekistan/Vietnam49

Country: BangladeshRiver basin name: Meghna

Basin Area: 61021 [km2]1. Background, targeted issues and objective
1.1 Brief introduction to the river basin within four lines
Natural disasters like flood and drought occurs almost every years in Bangladesh. In
recent years (2004 and 2007) the occurrence of flood in this basin hampers thedevelopment of the country. Moreover, there is a shortage of observational data
hampers proper monitoring of flood situation and utilization of forecasting techniques.
The inundation areas are widely extended through the country.
1.2 Major issues (Please use a circle):

FloodsDroughts

Water Quality

1.3 Latest event when the issue was evident according to above one(s):Variable/indicator & date:major floods on 2004.07.24 and 2007.08.04

1.4 Targets to be addressed through demonstration (up to 3):
To set-up a Hydrological & flood inundation model, use of satellite data anddownscaling techniques
1.5 Objective: The main goal is to achieve flood forecasting using a Hydrologicalmodel and inundation areas in order to obtain an optimal flood warning system andevacuation plan.
2. River basin characteristics
2.1 Climate regime (Please use a circle):
Very Humid

Humid

Temperate

Semi-arid

Arid

Cold/Tundra

2.2 Topography (minimum, average and maximum elevation): -24, 480, 3817
2.3 Annual average rainfall of about [mm]: At Meghalaya Hills higher 3000
2.4 Dominant land use: agriculture and forest
2.5 Dominant soil type: loam-clay
2.6 Geographic coordinates [Lon, Lat]: from 90.5° to 92.5° E, from 23.25° to 25.25°
2.7 River basin map [JPEG] with location of major observation sites:50

3. Observation system
SURFACE

NumberAir Temperature

2

HYDROLOGICAL

NumberStream flow

18
38

Humidity

2

Reservoir (Water level, Outflow)

Wind

2

Groundwater Table

Pressure

2

Evaporation

2

Precipitation

44

Soil Temperature

2

Soil Moisture2

Snow Depth
Skin Temperature

RCM data

Atmosphere

Upward Shortwave Radiation

RCM data

Planetary Boundary Layer Tower

Downward Shortwave Radiation

RCM data

Pilot Balloon

Upward Long wave Radiation

RCM data

Radiosonde

Downward Long wave Radiation

RCM data

Radar

Net Radiation

RCM data

Water Quality

Sensible Heat Flux

RCM data

Groundwater quality indicators

Latent Heat Flux

RCM data

Surface water quality indicators

Ground Heat Flux

RCM data

Others

CO2 Flux

Number1
1
NumberNumberGround Water Well

20

4. Models, GIS, Data Integration System, Prediction System
4.1 Hydrological model: ------------4.2 Land Surface Scheme: -----------

Meteorological model: Convective

Stratiform Technique (CST)
4.3 List of digital GIS data at fine resolution (besides global data set):
4.4 Data integration system: ----------4.5 Type of Prediction system and Downscaling technique: CST, flood forecasting andwarning center
Used mainly for: Floods

Droughts

Water Quality Monitoring

IWRM

5. Implementation Schedule of the Demonstration. Modify the arrows
ACTIVITIES

2008/I

Hydro-meteorological & water quality monitoring
Data integration system (input data preparation, quality
check)
Improvement of in-situ observation network system
Setting-up a Distributed Hydrological Model (optional
LSS)
Scenario Studies: Land use change analysis, dry
periods, etc.
Capacity building on Floods, Droughts & Water Quality
Parallel testing of the system at operational stage
IWRM plan development of floods, droughts & water
quality51

2008/II

2009/I

2009/II

2010/I

2010/II

2011/I

2011/II

Country: Bhutan

River basin name: Punatsangchhu

Basin Area: 13,263 [km2]1. Background, targeted issues and objective
1.1 Brief introduction to the river basin within four lines
The river basin is the second largest in Bhutan and very important from an economic
point of view. Punakha-Wangdue is one of the most fertile valleys. In addition, thebiggest hydropower plants are also planned in this basin. On the other hand, thefrequent glacier melt increases the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) and thendecreasing flow in the rivers afterwards.
1.2 Major issues (Please use a circle):

FloodsDroughts

Water Quality

1.3 Latest event when the issue was evident according to above one(s):Variable/indicator & date:flood due to glacial outburst in October 1994

1.4 Targets to be addressed through demonstration (up to 3):-Flood forecast-Impacts of the hydropower generation-A sediment transport study
1.5 Objective: Determination of an adequate warning system for floods and assist inmonitoring the flow regimes in the rivers due to climate change.
2. River basin characteristics
2.1 Climate regime (Please use a circle): dominated by the monsoon
Very Humid

Humid

Temperate

Semi-arid

Arid

Cold/Tundra

2.2 Topography (minimum, average and maximum elevation): 200(min), 6500(max)
2.3 Annual average rainfall of about [mm]: 500 at foothills and above 5000 in upper
reaches
2.4 Dominant land use: agriculture
2.5 Dominant soil type: it varies
2.6 Geographic coordinates [Lon, Lat]:

E 89o21’-90o24’ ; N 26o42’- 28o18’

2.7 River basin map [JPEG] with location of major observation sites:52

3. Observation system
SURFACE

NumberHYDROLOGICAL

NumberAir Temperature

17

Stream flow

Humidity

17

Reservoir (Water level, Outflow)

Wind

4

Groundwater Table

Pressure

5

Evaporation

5

Precipitation

17

Soil Temperature

5

Snow Depth

3

Soil Moisture

Skin Temperature

Atmosphere

Upward Shortwave Radiation

Planetary Boundary Layer Tower

Downward Shortwave Radiation

Pilot Balloon

Upward Long wave Radiation

Radiosonde

Downward Long wave Radiation

Radar

Net Radiation

4

Number

Water Quality

NumberSensible Heat Flux

Groundwater quality indicators

Latent Heat Flux

Surface water quality indicators

Ground Heat Flux

Others1
1
Number

CO2 Flux

4. Models, GIS, Data Integration System, Prediction System
4.1 Hydrological model: available
4.2 Land Surface Scheme: ------------

Meteorological model: available

4.3 List of digital GIS data at fine resolution (besides global data set): available
4.4 Data integration system: -----------4.5 Type of Prediction system and Downscaling technique: -----------Used mainly for: Floods

Droughts

Water Quality Monitoring

IWRM

5. Implementation Schedule of the Demonstration. Modify the arrows

ACTIVITIES

2008/I

Hydro-meteorological & water quality monitoring
Data integration system (input data preparation, quality
check)
Improvement of in-situ observation network system
Setting-up a Distributed Hydrological Model (optional
LSS)
Scenario Studies: Land use change analysis, dry
periods, etc.
Capacity building on Floods, Droughts & Water Quality
Parallel testing of the system at operational stage
IWRM plan development of floods, droughts & water
quality53

2008/II

2009/I

2009/II

2010/I

2010/II

2011/I

2011/II

Country: Cambodia

River basin name: Sangker

Basin Area: 2961[km2]1. Background, targeted issues and objective
1.1 Brief introduction to the river basin within four lines
It is one of the tributaries of Tonle Sap Lake, located in Battambang Province atsouthwest of Cambodia. Two hydropower stations are under planned at its upperbasin. The middle basin is covered with mixed agriculture and urban area and sufferedfrom flash flood. The downstream region is inundated for 6month in a year by theflood from Tonle Sap Lake and floating rice is cultivated.
1.2 Major issues (Please use a circle):

FloodsDroughts

Water Quality

1.3 Latest event when the issue was evident according to above one(s):Variable/indicator & date:
1.4 Targets to be addressed through demonstration (up to 3):• Impact of changes in the demands of water intake and dams → basin simulationmodel• Impact of changes in climate, water resources, land cover → hydrological model• Impact of changes in the canal level, sediment, flooding, river works →hydrodynamic model
By using the three model outputs, the impacts on the environment andsocio-economics will be addressed.
1.5 Objective: To studies the impact of flash flood in case heavy raining and to
manage the water resources
2. River basin characteristics
2.1 Climate regime (Please use a circle):
Very Humid

Humid

Temperate

Semi-arid

Arid

Cold/Tundra

2.2 Topography (minimum, average and maximum elevation):
2.3 Annual average rainfall of about [mm]:2.4 Dominant land use: cultivation
2.5 Dominant soil type:
2.6 Geographic coordinates [Lon, Lat]: 102.5 to 104.0E, 12.5 to 13.5 N
2.7 River basin map [JPEG] with location of major observation sites:54

3. Observation system
SURFACE

NumberHYDROLOGICAL

NumberAir Temperature

available

Stream flow

available

Humidity

available

Reservoir (Water level, Outflow)Windavailable

Groundwater Table

available

Soil Temperature

Pressure

Evaporation

Precipitation
Snow Depth

Soil Moisture

Skin Temperature

Atmosphere

Upward Shortwave Radiation

Planetary Boundary Layer Tower

Downward Shortwave Radiation

Pilot Balloon

Upward Long wave Radiation

Radiosonde

Downward Long wave Radiation

Radar

Net Radiation

available

Number

Water Quality

NumberSensible Heat Flux

Groundwater quality indicators

Latent Heat Flux

Surface water quality indicators

Ground Heat Flux

OthersNumber

CO2 Flux

4. Models, GIS, Data Integration System, Prediction System
4.1 Hydrological model:

SWAT, IQQM, ISIS

4.2 Land Surface Scheme:

Meteorological model:

4.3 List of digital GIS data at fine resolution (besides global data set): DEM with 50 m
grid resolution
4.4 Data integration system: Sharing Hymos Databas
4.5 Type of Prediction system and Downscaling technique:
Used mainly for: Floods

Droughts

Water Quality Monitoring

IWRM

5. Implementation Schedule of the Demonstration. Modify the arrows
ACTIVITIES

2008/I

Hydro-meteorological & water quality monitoring
Data integration system (input data preparation, quality
check)
Improvement of in-situ observation network system
Setting-up a Distributed Hydrological Model (optional
LSS)
Scenario Studies: Land use change analysis, dry
periods, etc.
Capacity building on Floods, Droughts & Water Quality
Parallel testing of the system at operational stage
IWRM plan development of floods, droughts & water
quality55

2008/II

2009/I

2009/II

2010/I

2010/II

2011/I

2011/II

Country: India

River basin name: Seonath river

Basin Area: 30,760 [km2]1. Background, targeted issues and objective
1.1 Brief introduction to the river basin within four lines
It is the largest tributary of Mahanadi basin. It rises in the Chandrapur district ofMaharashtra at an elevation of about 532m and meets Mahanadi river after traversing
a distance of about 383km.
1.2 Major issues (Please use a circle):

FloodsDroughts

Water Quality

1.3 Latest event when the issue was evident according to above one(s):Variable/indicator & date:
1.4 Targets to be addressed through demonstration (up to 3):
1.5 Objective: The objective of the project is to provide Quantitative Precipitation
Forecast (QPF) and Probability of Precipitation (POP) of the basin by downscaling
technique (MOS, PPM, neural network etc) using the NWP model products and otherdata to the station/basin level. The accuracy of QPF should be high enough so that it
can be used in flood forecasting model (at least 80%).
2. River basin characteristics
2.1 Climate regime (Please use a circle):
Very Humid

Humid

Temperate

Semi-arid

Arid

Cold/Tundra

2.2 Topography (minimum, average and maximum elevation):
2.3 Annual average rainfall of about [mm]:2.4 Dominant land use: cultivation (72%)
2.5 Dominant soil type:
2.6 Geographic coordinates [Lon, Lat]: 80.5 to 82.5 E, 20 to 23N
2.7 River basin map [JPEG] with location of major observation sites:56

3. Observation system
SURFACE

NumberHYDROLOGICAL

NumberAir Temperature

2

Stream flow

Humidity

2

Reservoir (Water level, Outflow)

Wind

2

Groundwater Table

Pressure

1

Evaporation

Precipitation

11

1

Soil Temperature

1

Snow Depth

Soil Moisture1

Skin Temperature

Atmosphere

Number

Upward Shortwave Radiation

Planetary Boundary Layer Tower

Downward Shortwave Radiation

Pilot Balloon

Upward Long wave Radiation

Radiosonde

Downward Long wave Radiation

Radar

1

Net Radiation

Water Quality

NumberSensible Heat Flux

Groundwater quality indicators

Latent Heat Flux

Surface water quality indicators

Ground Heat Flux

OthersNumber

CO2 Flux

4. Models, GIS, Data Integration System, Prediction System
4.1 Hydrological model:
4.2 Land Surface Scheme:

Meteorological model: available

4.3 List of digital GIS data at fine resolution (besides global data set):
4.4 Data integration system:
4.5 Type of Prediction system and Downscaling technique:
Used mainly for: Floods

Droughts

Water Quality Monitoring

IWRM

5. Implementation Schedule of the Demonstration. Modify the arrows
ACTIVITIES

2008/I

Hydro-meteorological & water quality monitoring
Data integration system (input data preparation, quality
check)
Improvement of in-situ observation network system
Setting-up a Distributed Hydrological Model (optional
LSS)
Scenario Studies: Land use change analysis, dry
periods, etc.
Capacity building on Floods, Droughts & Water Quality
Parallel testing of the system at operational stage
IWRM plan development of floods, droughts & water
quality57

2008/II

2009/I

2009/II

2010/I

2010/II

2011/I

2011/II

Country: Indonesia River basin name: Mamberamo

Basin Area: 78992 [km2]1. Background, targeted issues and objective
1.1 Brief introduction to the river basin within four lines
Annual flood is occurred during rainy season and nowadays also during droughtseason, due to Indonesia lay on the monsoon climate zone. Regarding to that,
information system is required to inventory and process data about flood occurrence
as information for decision-maker to take the right action in managing the flood.
1.2 Major issues (Please use a circle):

FloodsDroughts

Water Quality

1.3 Latest event when the issue was evident according to above one(s):Variable/indicator & date:------------------------------

1.4 Targets to be addressed through demonstration (up to 3):-Take advantage of GIS database system-Support floods decision-makers
1.5 Objective: A system is required to forecast floods in order to reduce their effects
2. River basin characteristics
2.1 Climate regime (Please use a circle): monsoon
Very Humid

Humid

Temperate

Semi-arid

Arid

Cold/Tundra

2.2 Topography (minimum, average and maximum elevation): 0, 5000
2.3 Annual average rainfall of about [mm]: 3500 to 5000
2.4 Dominant land use: upper tropical forest; while swamps in lowlands
2.5 Dominant soil type: --------------2.6 Geographic coordinates [Lon, Lat]: 136.3º through 140.82º E; 1.45º through4.53º S
2.7 River basin map [JPEG] with location of major observation sites:58

3. Observation system
SURFACE

NumberAir Temperature

1

HYDROLOGICAL

NumberStream flow

2

Humidity

1

Reservoir (Water level, Outflow)

Wind

1

Groundwater Table

Pressure

1

Evaporation

Precipitation

1

Soil Temperature

Snow Depth

Soil Moisture

Skin Temperature

Atmosphere

Upward Shortwave Radiation

Planetary Boundary Layer Tower

Downward Shortwave Radiation

Pilot Balloon

Upward Long wave Radiation

Radiosonde

Downward Long wave Radiation

Radar

Number

Net Radiation

1

Water Quality

Sensible Heat Flux

1

Groundwater quality indicators

NumberLatent Heat Flux

Surface water quality indicators

Ground Heat Flux

Others1
Number

CO2 Flux

4. Models, GIS, Data Integration System, Prediction System
4.1 Hydrological model: ---------4.2 Land Surface Scheme: ---------

Meteorological model: ----------

4.3 List of digital GIS data at fine resolution (besides global data set):-digital river basin map
4.4 Data integration system: ---------4.5 Type of Prediction system and Downscaling technique:
Used mainly for: Floods

Droughts

Water Quality Monitoring

IWRM

5. Implementation Schedule of the Demonstration. Modify the arrows
ACTIVITIES

2008/I

Hydro-meteorological & water quality monitoring
Data integration system (input data preparation, quality
check)
Improvement of in-situ observation network system
Setting-up a Distributed Hydrological Model (optional
LSS)
Scenario Studies: Land use change analysis, dry
periods, etc.
Capacity building on Floods, Droughts & Water Quality
Parallel testing of the system at operational stage
IWRM plan development of floods, droughts & water
quality59

2008/II

2009/I

2009/II

2010/I

2010/II

2011/I

2011/II

Country: Japan

River basin name: Upper Tone River

Basin Area: 3300 [km2]1. Background, targeted issues and objective
1.1 Brief introduction to the river basin within four lines
It is located in the northern headwaters of the Tone river basin. The Tone river is avery important source of water supply, irrigation and power generation for the Tokyo
area. Therefore its management is crucial for the region. According to Japan
Meteorological Agency (JMA), the trend of frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall inthis region has been increasing on average from 1961-2001.
1.2 Major issues (Please use a circle):

FloodsDroughts

Water Quality

1.3 Latest event when the issue was evident according to above one(s):Variable/indicator & date:

Sep. 1947, 171 mm/h caused by a typhoon, 1.6 million

people affected
1.4 Targets to be addressed through demonstration (up to 3):
A system able to 1) reduce flood peaks at downstream and 2) replenish water levels
in reservoirs after a flood event by using quantitative precipitation forecast will be
developed. The error forecast will be also considered by the bets means.
1.5 Objective: Release schedule of dams during extreme events does not follow
manual, rather the experiences of dam operators are required. Therefore, a systemthat can support them will be developed.
2. River basin characteristics
2.1 Climate regime (Please use a circle):
Very Humid

Humid

Temperate

Semi-arid

Arid

Cold/Tundra

2.2 Topography (minimum, average and maximum elevation): 100, 1020, 2500
2.3 Annual average rainfall of about [mm]: 1500mm
2.4 Dominant land use: forest (79.3 %) and grasslands (9.5 %)2.5 Dominant soil type: forest soil (56%), black soil (22%), high permeable s. (15%)
2.6 Geographic coordinates [Lon, Lat]: 138.2º to 139.6ºE, 36.2º to 37.2º N
2.7 River basin map [JPEG] with location of major observation sites:60

3. Observation system
SURFACE

NumberAir Temperature

4

HYDROLOGICAL

NumberStream flow

126

Humidity

4

Reservoir (Water level, Outflow)

Wind

4

Groundwater Table

Pressure

4

Evaporation

Precipitation

27

Soil Temperature

Snow Depth

1

Soil Moisture

Skin Temperature

Atmosphere

Upward Shortwave Radiation

Planetary Boundary Layer Tower

Downward Shortwave Radiation

Pilot Balloon

Upward Long wave Radiation

Radiosonde

Downward Long wave Radiation

Radar

Number1

Net Radiation

Water Quality

Sensible Heat Flux

Groundwater quality indicators

Latent Heat Flux

Surface water quality indicators

Ground Heat Flux

OthersNumberNumber

CO2 Flux

4. Models, GIS, Data Integration System, Prediction System
4.1 Hydrological model: GBHM
4.2 Land Surface Scheme: SiB2

Meteorological model: Meso-scale Grid Point Data

(MSM-GPV)
4.3 List of digital GIS data at fine resolution (besides global data set): 50-m DEM,
100-m digital land use, digitized 1:200,000 soil maps, hydrological thematic maps
(slope, river network, and soil depth)
4.4 Data integration system:
4.5 Type of Prediction system and Downscaling technique:
Used mainly for: Floods

Droughts

Water Quality Monitoring

IWRM

5. Implementation Schedule of the Demonstration. Modify the arrows
ACTIVITIES

2008/I

Hydro-meteorological & water quality monitoring
Data integration system (input data preparation, quality
check)
Improvement of in-situ observation network system
Setting-up a Distributed Hydrological Model (optional
LSS)
Scenario Studies: Land use change analysis, dry
periods, etc.
Capacity building on Floods, Droughts & Water Quality
Parallel testing of the system at operational stage
IWRM plan development of floods, droughts & water
quality61

2008/II

2009/I

2009/II

2010/I

2010/II

2011/I

2011/II

Country: Korea (Republic) River basin name: Upper Chungju-dam Basin Area:
6,662 [km2]1. Background, targeted issues and objective
1.1 Brief introduction to the river basin within four lines
There has been significant damages from floods and flash floods in Korea. In addition
to flood control works, some other non-structural countermeasures should beconsidered. The study area is located at the middle-east of Korean Peninsula. It is anupper part of South Han River and the outlet is at Chungju-dam, which is the largest
multi-purpose dam in South Han River basin.
1.2 Major issues (Please use a circle):

FloodsDroughts

Water Quality

1.3 Latest event when the issue was evident according to above one(s):Variable/indicator & date:
1.4 Targets to be addressed through demonstration (up to 3):1) the use of satellite data for flood and drought monitoring and prediction forenhancement of the existing system; 2) utilization of an integrated hydrological andmeteorological forecast system for the optimal dam operation and flood risk
reduction.
1.5 Objective: understanding of the regional and global water cycle mechanisms incase of climate change.
2. River basin characteristics
2.1 Climate regime (Please use a circle):
Very Humid

Humid

Temperate

Semi-arid

Arid

Cold/Tundra

2.2 Topography (minimum, average and maximum elevation): 0, 1561
2.3 Annual average rainfall of about [mm]:2.4 Dominant land use: mountain covered by coniferous and deciduous forests.
2.5 Dominant soil type:
2.6 Geographic coordinates [Lon, Lat]: 127.92 to 129.02 E, 36.79 to 37.82 N
2.7 River basin map [JPEG] with location of major observation sites:62

3. Observation system
SURFACE

NumberAir Temperature

3

HYDROLOGICAL

NumberStream flow

5
1

Humidity

3

Reservoir (Water level, Outflow)

Wind

3

Groundwater Table

Pressure

3

Evaporation

3

Precipitation

46

Soil Temperature

3

Snow Depth

3

Soil Moisture

Skin Temperature

3

Atmosphere

Number

Upward Shortwave Radiation

Planetary Boundary Layer Tower

Downward Shortwave Radiation

Pilot Balloon

Upward Long wave Radiation

Radiosonde

Downward Long wave Radiation

Radar

available

Water Quality

Number

Net Radiation

3

Sensible Heat Flux

Groundwater quality indicators

Latent Heat Flux

Surface water quality indicators

Ground Heat Flux

Others8
26
Number

CO2 Flux

4. odels, GIS, Data Integration System, Prediction System
4.1 Hydrological model: Storage Function Model
4.2 Land Surface Scheme:

Meteorological model: The global data assimilation andprediction system (GDAPS) for GCM models and the regional data assimilation andprediction system (RDAPS) for regional climatic models
4.3 List of digital GIS data at fine resolution (besides global data set): various datasuch as soil, vegetal covers, landuse, DEM, etc.
4.4 Data integration system:
4.5 Type of Prediction system and Downscaling technique:
Used mainly for: Floods

Droughts

Water Quality Monitoring

IWRM

5. Implementation Schedule of the Demonstration. Modify the arrows
ACTIVITIES

2008/I

Hydro-meteorological & water quality monitoring
Data integration system (input data preparation, quality
check)
Improvement of in-situ observation network system
Setting-up a Distributed Hydrological Model (optional
LSS)
Scenario Studies: Land use change analysis, dry
periods, etc.
Capacity building on Floods, Droughts & Water Quality
Parallel testing of the system at operational stage
IWRM plan development of floods, droughts & water
quality63

2008/II

2009/I

2009/II

2010/I

2010/II

2011/I

2011/II

Country: Lao PDRRiver basin name: Sebangfai River Basin Area: 8560 [km2]1. Background, targeted issues and objective
1.1 Brief introduction to the river basin within four lines
It is located in Khammouane Province. At the source, the river flows from the Vietnam
border in the southeast-northwest direction to Boualapha District and changes
direction to the west to Mahaxay District and then turns from the northeast-southwest
into the Mekong. With an annual increase of 2.6%
since 1990, the total population in the basin is estimated to reach 192,200 in 1998.
1.2 Major issues (Please use a circle):

FloodsDroughts

Water Quality

1.3 Latest event when the issue was evident according to above one(s):Variable/indicator & date:
1.4 Targets to be addressed through demonstration (up to 3):
1) Capacity building of the staffs of Department of Meteorology and Hydrology inmaking a more accurate flood forecasting and analysis; 2) Assessment of the current
conditions of hydro-meteorological stations; 3) discussion on how to improve thecurrent data transmission system and the operation and maintenance of thesestations
1.5 Objective:
2. River basin characteristics
2.1 Climate regime (Please use a circle):
Very Humid

Humid

Temperate

Semi-arid

Arid

Cold/Tundra

2.2 Topography (minimum, average and maximum elevation): 150 vs. 1397
2.3 Annual average rainfall of about [mm]: 2300
2.4 Dominant land use: forest (59 %), paddy (20 %), upland crops (10 %)2.5 Dominant soil type: Mesozoic, Cretaceaus, Jurassic and Palaezoic
2.6 Geographic coordinates [Lon, Lat]: 105 to 106.5 E, 17 to 18 N
2.7 River basin map [JPEG] with location of major observation sites:64

3. Observation system
SURFACE

NumberAir Temperature

1

Humidity

1

HYDROLOGICAL

NumberStream flow

3

Reservoir (Water level, Outflow)

Wind

Groundwater Table

Pressure
Precipitation

5

Evaporation

1

Soil Temperature

1

Snow Depth

Soil Moisture

Skin Temperature

Atmosphere

Upward Shortwave Radiation

Planetary Boundary Layer Tower

Downward Shortwave Radiation

Pilot Balloon

Upward Long wave Radiation

Radiosonde

Downward Long wave Radiation

Radar

Net Radiation

Water Quality

Sensible Heat Flux

Groundwater quality indicators

Latent Heat Flux

Surface water quality indicators

Ground Heat Flux

OthersNumberNumber2
2
Number

CO2 Flux

4. Models, GIS, Data Integration System, Prediction System
4.1 Hydrological model:
4.2 Land Surface Scheme:

Meteorological model:

4.3 List of digital GIS data at fine resolution (besides global data set):
4.4 Data integration system:
4.5 Type of Prediction system and Downscaling technique:
Used mainly for: Floods

Droughts

Water Quality Monitoring

IWRM

5. Implementation Schedule of the Demonstration. Modify the arrows
ACTIVITIES

2008/I

Hydro-meteorological & water quality monitoring
Data integration system (input data preparation, quality
check)
Improvement of in-situ observation network system
Setting-up a Distributed Hydrological Model (optional
LSS)
Scenario Studies: Land use change analysis, dry
periods, etc.
Capacity building on Floods, Droughts & Water Quality
Parallel testing of the system at operational stage
IWRM plan development of floods, droughts & water
quality65

2008/II

2009/I

2009/II

2010/I

2010/II

2011/I

2011/II

Country: Mongolia

River basin name: Selbe

Basin Area: 303 [km2]1. Background, targeted issues and objective
1.1 Brief introduction to the river basin within four lines
It is located in center of Mongolia, in the north of Ulaanbaatar. It is the upper basin of
the Tuul Stream basin (6300km2). From mid of 90th, settling area and population havebeen rapidly increasing. Following the human activities, individual house building,paved areas, groundwater wells and livestock pasture are in creasing. Also forest cut
and cultivation took place in some extend.
1.2 Major issues (Please use a circle):

FloodsDroughts

Water Quality

1.3 Latest event when the issue was evident according to above one(s):Variable/indicator & date:
1.4 Targets to be addressed through demonstration (up to 3):
1) Environmental degradation (vegetation, soil degradation, deforestation and rapid
urbanization impacting on surface and ground water regime and interaction
mechanism, ground water contamination, water scarcity and flood control)2) Surface and ground water monitoring and modeling to assist better management inlight of anthropogenic influences and climate change impact and flood control.
3) Assistance of the development of information systems for promoting theimplementation of integrated water resources management (IWRM) in the Selbe andTuul Stream Basins.
1.5 Objective:
2. River basin characteristics
2.1 Climate regime (Please use a circle):
Very Humid

Humid

Temperate

Semi-arid

2.2 Topography (minimum, average and maximum
elevation):
2.3 Annual average rainfall of about [mm]:2.4 Dominant land use: forest (59%), urban,
pasture2.5 Dominant soil type: brown and podosor
2.6 Geographic coordinates [Lon, Lat]:
106.8 to 107.0E, 47.9 to 48.3 N
2.7 River basin map [JPEG] with location of major
observation sites:

66

Arid

Cold/Tundra3. Observation system
SURFACE

NumberHYDROLOGICAL

NumberAir Temperature

2

Stream flow

Humidity

2

Reservoir (Water level, Outflow)

Wind

2

Groundwater Table

Pressure

2

Evaporation

Precipitation

6

Soil Temperature

1

Snow Depth

1

Soil Moisture1

Skin Temperature2
Not yet defined

Atmosphere

Number

Upward Shortwave Radiation

Planetary Boundary Layer Tower

Downward Shortwave Radiation

Pilot Balloon

Upward Long wave Radiation

Radiosonde

Downward Long wave Radiation

Radar

Net Radiation

1

1 (Ulaanbaatar, 0800LT & 2000LT)
1

Water Quality

NumberSensible Heat Flux

1

Groundwater quality indicators

Latent Heat Flux

1

Surface water quality indicators

Ground Heat Flux

Others

Not yet defined

Number

CO2 Flux

4. Models, GIS, Data Integration System, Prediction System
4.1 Hydrological model: Linear regression model, Muskingem flood routing, Unithydrograph model
4.2 Land Surface Scheme:

Meteorological model:

4.3 List of digital GIS data at fine resolution (besides global data set): DEM, river
network, topography
4.4 Data integration system:
4.5 Type of Prediction system and Downscaling technique:
Used mainly for: Floods

Droughts

Water Quality Monitoring

IWRM

5. Implementation Schedule of the Demonstration. Modify the arrows
ACTIVITIES

2008/I

Hydro-meteorological & water quality monitoring
Data integration system (input data preparation, quality
check)
Improvement of in-situ observation network system
Setting-up a Distributed Hydrological Model (optional
LSS)
Scenario Studies: Land use change analysis, dry
periods, etc.
Capacity building on Floods, Droughts & Water Quality
Parallel testing of the system at operational stage
IWRM plan development of floods, droughts & water
quality67

2008/II

2009/I

2009/II

2010/I

2010/II

2011/I

2011/II

Country: Malaysia
1.

River basin name: Langat

Basin Area: 2,350 [km²]Background, targeted issues and objective

1.1 Brief introduction to the river basin within four lines
Langat River Basin is one of the four major basins in Selangor State. Langat Dam is
the major source of domestic water supply for Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and areasadjoining to it. Groundwater extraction for industrial use is the minor water source ofthe basin. The Malaysian Government Administrative Centre Putrajaya is located at
the centre of the basin.
1.2 Major issues (Please use a circle):

FloodsDrought

Water Quality

1.3 Latest event when the issue was evident according to above one(s):Severe drought and water crisis in 1998
1.4 Targets to be addressed through demonstration (up to 3):•

Impact of climate change and land use change on hydrology, water
resources and socio-economic activities (HydroClimate Model)•

Impact of changes in the demands of water intake and dam (Basin
Simulation Model)•

Impact of changes in the sediment, river level, flooding, river networks(Hydrodynamic Model)

1.5 Objective: The main goal is to achieve reservoir inflow and water intake
forecasting, flood and drought forecasting, and the impact of climate and land usechanges on the resources, environment and socio-economics of the basin.
2.

River basin characteristics

2.1 Climate regime (please use a circle):
Very Humid

Humid

Temperate

Semi-arid

Arid

Cold/Tundra

2.2 Topography (minimum, average and maximum elevation): 0m, 40m, 100m
2.3 Annual average rainfall of about [mm]: 2,470
2.4 Dominant land use: Agriculture, Urban Area and Forest
2.5 Dominant soil type: Sandy Clay
2.6 Geographic coordinates [Lon, Lat]: From E 101°17’ To E 101°53’; From N 2°40’
To N 3°09’
2.7 River basin map [JPEG] with location of major observation sites:683. Observation system
SURFACE

NumberHYDROLOGICAL

NumberAir Temperature

11

Stream flow

6

Humidity

11

Reservoir (Water level, Outflow)

1

Wind

1

Groundwater Table

30

Pressure

1

Evaporation

7

Precipitation

35

Soil Temperature-

Snow Depth-

Soil Moisture-

Skin Temperature-

Atmosphere

Upward Shortwave Radiation

1

Planetary Boundary Layer Tower

Downward Shortwave Radiation

1

Pilot Balloon

1

Upward Long wave Radiation

1

Radiosonde

1

Downward Long wave Radiation

1

Radar

1

Net Radiation

1

Water Quality

Sensible Heat Flux-

Groundwater quality indicators

Latent Heat Flux-

Surface water quality indicators

Ground Heat Flux-

Others

CO2 Flux-

NumberNumber30
30
Number

4. Models, GIS, Data Integration System, Prediction System
4.1 Hydrological model:
4.2 Land Surface Scheme:-

Meteorological model:-

4.3 List of digital GIS data at fine resolution (besides global data set):
4.4 Data integration system:-

4.5 Type of Prediction system and Downscaling technique:
Used mainly for:Floods-Droughts-

Water Quality Monitoring

IWRM

5. Implementation Schedule of the Demonstration. Modify the arrows
ACTIVITIES

2008/I

Hydro-meteorological & water quality monitoring
Data integration system (input data preparation, quality
check)
Improvement of in-situ observation network system
Setting-up a Distributed Hydrological Model (optional
LSS)
Scenario Studies: Land use change analysis, dry
periods, etc.
Capacity building on Floods, Droughts & Water Quality
Parallel testing of the system at operational stage
IWRM plan development of floods, droughts & water
quality69

2008/II

2009/I

2009/II

2010/I

2010/II

2011/I

2011/II

Basin Area: 1747 [km2]Country: Myanmar River basin name: Shwegyin
1. Background, targeted issues and objective

1.1 Brief introduction to the river basin within in four lines
Shwegyin town is situated on the mouth of Shwegyin River and composed of 8 wards
and 26 villages. It is about 42 miles from north to south and 19 miles from east to
west. The high mountains are formed in northern and eastern part and plain areas arein the western and southern part of the basin. There are 5 rivers flowing through thetownship including Shwegyin River.
1.2 Major issues (Please use a circle):

FloodsDroughts

Water Quality

1.3 Latest event when the issue was evident according to above one(s):Variable/indicator & date:

2650 mm/40 hours 1997.08 30870persons, 6050 areaof paddy field
1.4 Targets to be addressed through demonstration (up to 3):
To install two telemeter stations and receiving station in Shwegyin basin; To develop
forecasting technique for flash flood; To develop accurate flood inundation maps
using all available data including GIS data sources
1.5 Objective: To get early flood warning system for Shwegyin River Basin
2. River basin characteristics
2.1 Climate regime (Please use a circle):
Very Humid

Humid

Temperate

Semi-arid

Arid

Cold/Tundra

2.2 Topography (minimum, average and maximum elevation): 12, 951, 1890
2.3 Annual average rainfall of about [mm]: 3552
2.4 Dominant land use:
2.5 Dominant soil type:
2.6 Geographic coordinates [Lon, Lat]: 96.75 to 97.167 E, 17.5 to 18.5 N
2.7 River basin map [JPEG] with location of major observation sites:

Shwegyinstation70

3. Observation system
SURFACE

NumberAir Temperature

1

HYDROLOGICAL

NumberStream flow

1

Humidity

1

Reservoir (Water level, Outflow)

Wind

1

Groundwater Table

Pressure

1

Evaporation

Precipitation

1

Soil Temperature

Snow Depth

Soil Moisture

Skin Temperature

Atmosphere

Upward Shortwave Radiation

Planetary Boundary Layer Tower

Downward Shortwave Radiation

Pilot Balloon

Upward Long wave Radiation

Radiosonde

Downward Long wave Radiation

Radar

Number

Net Radiation

Water Quality

Sensible Heat Flux

Groundwater quality indicators

Latent Heat Flux

Surface water quality indicators

Ground Heat Flux

OthersNumberNumber

CO2 Flux

4. Models, GIS, Data Integration System, Prediction System
4.1 Hydrological model:
4.2 Land Surface Scheme:

Meteorological model: multilinear regression

4.3 List of digital GIS data at fine resolution (besides global data set):
4.4 Data integration system: Asynchronous (alphanumeric) Type - 3hourly
4.5 Type of Prediction system and Downscaling technique: flood frequency analysis,stage correlation
Used mainly for: Floods

Droughts

Water Quality Monitoring

IWRM

5. Implementation Schedule of the Demonstration. Modify the arrows
ACTIVITIES

2008/I

Hydro-meteorological & water quality monitoring
Data integration system (input data preparation, quality
check)
Improvement of in-situ observation network system
Setting-up a Distributed Hydrological Model (optional
LSS)
Scenario Studies: Land use change analysis, dry
periods, etc.
Capacity building on Floods, Droughts & Water Quality
Parallel testing of the system at operational stage
IWRM plan development of floods, droughts & water
quality71

2008/II

2009/I

2009/II

2010/I

2010/II

2011/I

2011/II

Country: Nepal

Basin Area: 3700 [km2]River basin name: Bagmati

1. Background, targeted issues and objective
1.1 Brief introduction to the river basin within four lines
Bagmati river originates from the southern slopes of Shivapuri Lekh at Vagdhara,
north of Kathmandu. It flows towards south west from its origin and turns to west in
Kathmandu city and emerges out of Kathmandu Valley at Chovar. The maximum flood
discharge observed is about 11,000 m3/sec.
1.2 Major issues (Please use a circle):

FloodsDroughts

Water Quality

1.3 Latest event when the issue was evident according to above one(s):Variable/indicator & date:rain 540 mm on July 20, 1993 caused extensive damage,200 deaths
1.4 Targets to be addressed through demonstration (up to 3):- Reduce flood damages: bank erosion and inundation- Reduce landslides and debris flows by means of landslides hazard mapping- Water Pollution is crucial since it is used to meet the irrigation demand
1.5 Objective: to evolve an effective flood and rainfall prediction system including
disaster management, resource management, resource allocation and environmental
conservation.
2. River basin characteristics
2.1 Climate regime (Please use a circle): sub-tropical
Very Humid

Humid

Temperate

Semi-arid

Arid

Cold/Tundra

2.2 Topography (minimum, average and maximum elevation): Middle Mountainhighest 2740 m
2.3 Annual average rainfall of about [mm]:2.4 Dominant land use: forest
2.5 Dominant soil type: ---------2.6 Geographic coordinates [Lon, Lat]: from 85º to 86ºE and 27.83º to 26.75º N
2.7 River basin map [JPEG] with location of major observation sites:72

3. Observation system
SURFACE

NumberAir Temperature

11

HYDROLOGICAL

NumberStream flow

3

Humidity

4

Reservoir (Water level, Outflow)

Wind

4

Groundwater Table

Pressure

4

Evaporation

2

Precipitation

25

Soil Temperature

2

Snow Depth

Soil Moisture

Skin Temperature

Atmosphere

Number

Upward Shortwave Radiation

Planetary Boundary Layer Tower

Downward Shortwave Radiation

Pilot Balloon

Upward Long wave Radiation

Radiosonde

Downward Long wave Radiation

Radar

Net Radiation

Water Quality

NumberSensible Heat Flux

Groundwater quality indicators

Latent Heat Flux

Surface water quality indicators

Ground Heat Flux

OthersNumber

CO2 Flux

4. Models, GIS, Data Integration System, Prediction System
4.1 Hydrological model: HEC Model
4.2 Land Surface Scheme:--------------- Meteorological model: Not available

4.3 List of digital GIS data at fine resolution (besides global data set):
Transportation networks, contours, settlement area, administrative boundaries, landuse, river system
4.4 Data integration system: Started archiving data sets such as LANDSAT, SRTM
DEM
4.5 Type of Prediction system and Downscaling technique: On-going development,
CDMA
Used mainly for: Floods

Droughts

Water Quality Monitoring

IWRM

5. Implementation Schedule of the Demonstration. Modify the arrows
ACTIVITIES

2008/I

Hydro-meteorological & water quality monitoring
Data integration system (input data preparation, quality
check)
Improvement of in-situ observation network system
Setting-up a Distributed Hydrological Model (optional
LSS)
Scenario Studies: Land use change analysis, dry
periods, etc.
Capacity building on Floods, Droughts & Water Quality
Parallel testing of the system at operational stage
IWRM plan development of floods, droughts & water
quality73

2008/II

2009/I

2009/II

2010/I

2010/II

2011/I

2011/II

Country: Pakistan

Basin Area: 5894 [km2]River basin name: Swat

1. Background, targeted issues and objective
1.1 Brief introduction to the river basin within four lines
Almost 70-90 % of the water in the Upper Indus River Basin comes from snowmelt
and remote glaciers and precipitation during the monsoon season. Increasing water
scarcity and pollution, environmental degradation including desertification,
sedimentation, land sliding and water quality are increasing seriously in the Upper
Indus Basin. Socio-economic conditions in the area are poor.
1.2 Major issues (Please use a circle):

FloodsDroughts

Water Quality

1.3 Latest event when the issue was evident according to above one(s):Variable/indicator & date:
1.4 Targets to be addressed through demonstration (up to 3):
Water resources assessment using in-situ and Remote Sensing data
Impact of climate change on snow cover and glacier resources
Impact of land use system changes on agriculture in response to climatechange1.5 Objective: Flood forecasting and water quality monitoring
2. River basin characteristics
2.1 Climate regime (Please use a circle): Affected by monsoon
Very Humid

Humid

Temperate

Semi-arid

Arid

Cold/Tundra

2.2 Topography (minimum, average and maximum elevation): 750 to 5800 m.a.s.l.
2.3 Annual average rainfall of about [mm]:2.4 Dominant land use: upper mostly covered with snow and glaciers, some withlakes
2.5 Dominant soil type:
2.6 Geographic coordinates [Lon, Lat]: 71.9° to 72.87° E and 34.52° to 35.93° N
2.7 River basin map [JPEG] with location of major observation sites:74

3. Observation system
SURFACE

NumberAir Temperature

HYDROLOGICAL

NumberStream flow

2

Humidity

Reservoir (Water level, Outflow)

Wind

Groundwater Table

Pressure

Evaporation

Precipitation

4

Soil Temperature

Snow Depth

Soil Moisture

Skin Temperature

Atmosphere

Upward Shortwave Radiation

Planetary Boundary Layer Tower

Downward Shortwave Radiation

Pilot Balloon

Upward Long wave Radiation

Radiosonde

Downward Long wave Radiation

Radar

Number

Net Radiation

Water Quality

Sensible Heat Flux

Groundwater quality indicators

Latent Heat Flux

Surface water quality indicators

Ground Heat Flux

OthersNumberNumber

CO2 Flux

4. Models, GIS, Data Integration System, Prediction System
4.1 Hydrological model: lumped hydrological model (UBC) & statistical approaches
4.2 Land Surface Scheme:

Meteorological model: ---------------

4.3 List of digital GIS data at fine resolution (besides global data set): DEM, landuse,landforms, basin boundary, drainage and river network, image based glacier/glaciallakes areas
4.4 Data integration system:
4.5 Type of Prediction system and Downscaling technique: statistical approaches forfloods and drought indices are used.
Mainly used for: Floods

Droughts

Water Quality Monitoring

IWRM

5. Implementation Schedule of the Demonstration. Modify the arrows
ACTIVITIES

2008/I

Hydro-meteorological & water quality monitoring
Data integration system (input data preparation, quality
check)
Improvement of in-situ observation network system
Setting-up a Distributed Hydrological Model (optional
LSS)
Scenario Studies: Land use change analysis, dry
periods, etc.
Capacity building on Floods, Droughts & Water Quality
Parallel testing of the system at operational stage
IWRM plan development of floods, droughts & water
quality75

2008/II

2009/I

2009/II

2010/I

2010/II

2011/I

2011/II

Country: Philippines

River basin name: Pampanga

Basin Area: 10540 [km2]1. Background, targeted issues and objective
1.1 Brief introduction to the river basin within four lines
It is the forth largest basin in the Philippines. The total length of the main river isabout 260kilometers. The basin is drained through the Pampanga River and via the
Labangan Channel into the Manila Bay. The main river is supported by several
tributaries. It has a relatively low-gradient channel at the middle and lower sections.
There are two dams within the river basin.
1.2 Major issues (Please use a circle):

FloodsDroughts

Water Quality

1.3 Latest event when the issue was evident according to above one(s):Variable/indicator & date:
1.4 Targets to be addressed through demonstration (up to 3):
Downscaling
Optimal multi-purpose reservoir operation
1.5 Objective: End-to-end approach in water resources management (IWRM)
2. River basin characteristics
2.1 Climate regime (Please use a circle):
Very Humid

Humid

Temperate

Semi-arid

Arid

Cold/Tundra

2.2 Topography (minimum, average and maximum elevation): 100 - 1115
2.3 Annual average rainfall of about [mm]: 4200
2.4 Dominant land use:
2.5 Dominant soil type:
2.6 Geographic coordinates [Lon, Lat]: 120.5 to 121.5 E, 14.75 to 16.25 N
2.7 River basin map [JPEG] with location of major observation sites:76

3. Observation system
SURFACE

NumberAir Temperature

2

HYDROLOGICAL

NumberStream flow2
2

Humidity

2

Reservoir (Water level, Outflow)

Wind

2

Groundwater Table

Pressure

2

Evaporation

Precipitation

10

Soil Temperature

1

Snow Depth

Soil Moisture

Skin Temperature

Atmosphere

Upward Shortwave Radiation

Planetary Boundary Layer Tower

Downward Shortwave Radiation

Pilot Balloon

Upward Long wave Radiation

Radiosonde

Downward Long wave Radiation

Radar

Number

Net Radiation

Water Quality

Sensible Heat Flux

Groundwater quality indicators

Latent Heat Flux

Surface water quality indicators

Ground Heat Flux

OthersNumberNumber

CO2 Flux

4. Models, GIS, Data Integration System, Prediction System
4.1 Hydrological model: WATBAL Hydrologic model
4.2 Land Surface Scheme:

Meteorological model:

4.3 List of digital GIS data at fine resolution (besides global data set):
4.4 Data integration system:
4.5 Type of Prediction system and Downscaling technique:
Used mainly for: Floods

Droughts

Water Quality Monitoring

IWRM

5. Implementation Schedule of the Demonstration. Modify the arrows
ACTIVITIES

2008/I

Hydro-meteorological & water quality monitoring
Data integration system (input data preparation, quality
check)
Improvement of in-situ observation network system
Setting-up a Distributed Hydrological Model (optional
LSS)
Scenario Studies: Land use change analysis, dry
periods, etc.
Capacity building on Floods, Droughts & Water Quality
Parallel testing of the system at operational stage
IWRM plan development of floods, droughts & water
quality77

2008/II

2009/I

2009/II

2010/I

2010/II

2011/I

2011/II

Country: Sri Lanka River basin name: Kalu Ganga

Basin Area: 2720 [km2]1. Background, targeted issues and objective
1.1 Brief introduction to the river basin within four lines
The Kalu (River) Ganga basin located at the South-Western part of Sri Lanka. It is
about 130 km long discharges into the Indian Ocean. The flood disasters continue inthe basin due to climatic, hydrologic, topographic and land use characteristics in thebasin. . There is a hydropower reservoir at one of the upper reaches. Population
density in Kalutara and Ratnapura districts are 677 and 314 person/sq km.
1.2 Major issues (Please use a circle): Floods

Droughts

Water Quality

1.3 Latest event when the issue was evident according to above one(s):District

Affected
Families

DeathsHousesdestroyed

Houses partiallydamagedKalutara

21,550

8

7,658

35

Ratnapura

47,756

137

5,726

6,902

1.4 Targets to be addressed through demonstration (up to 3):-Flood risk reduction-Identification of inundation levels-Implementation of early warning systems based on real time flood forecasting
1.5 Objective: To minimize flood damages by using DHM & RS
2. River basin characteristics
2.1 Climate regime (Please use a circle):
Very Humid

Humid

Temperate

Semi-arid

Arid

Cold/Tundra

2.2 Topography (minimum, average and maximum elevation): 2250
2.3 Annual average rainfall of about [mm]: 3000
2.4 Dominant land use: tropical rain forest
2.5 Dominant soil type:
2.6 Geographic coordinates [Lon, Lat]: 80 to 80.67 E, 6.4167 to 6.83 N
2.7 River basin map [JPEG] with location of major observation sites:78

3. Observation system
SURFACE

NumberHYDROLOGICAL

NumberAir Temperature

1

Stream flow

Humidity

1

Reservoir (Water level, Outflow)

2

Wind

1

Groundwater Table

Pressure

1

Evaporation

1

Precipitation

10

Soil Temperature

1

Snow Depth

Soil Moisture

Skin Temperature

Atmosphere

Number

Upward Shortwave Radiation

Planetary Boundary Layer Tower

Downward Shortwave Radiation

Pilot Balloon

Upward Long wave Radiation

Radiosonde

Downward Long wave Radiation

Radar

Net Radiation

Water Quality

NumberSensible Heat Flux

Groundwater quality indicators

Latent Heat Flux

Surface water quality indicators

Ground Heat Flux

OthersNumber

CO2 Flux

4. Models, GIS, Data Integration System, Prediction System
4.1 Hydrological model: one-dimensional hydraulic model
4.2 Land Surface Scheme:

Meteorological model:

4.3 List of digital GIS data at fine resolution (besides global data set):
DEM, land use and river network
4.4 Data integration system:
4.5 Type of Prediction system and Downscaling technique:
Used mainly for: Floods

Droughts

Water Quality Monitoring

IWRM

5. Implementation Schedule of the Demonstration. Modify the arrows
ACTIVITIES

2008/I

Hydro-meteorological & water quality monitoring
Data integration system (input data preparation, quality
check)
Improvement of in-situ observation network system
Setting-up a Distributed Hydrological Model (optional
LSS)
Scenario Studies: Land use change analysis, dry
periods, etc.
Capacity building on Floods, Droughts & Water Quality
Parallel testing of the system at operational stage
IWRM plan development of floods, droughts & water
quality79

2008/II

2009/I

2009/II

2010/I

2010/II

2011/I

2011/II

Country: Thailand

River basin name: Mae Wang

Basin Area: 600 [km2]1. Background, targeted issues and objective
1.1 Brief introduction to the river basin within four lines
Mae Wang Basin is one of the sub-basins of the Mae Ping Basin in Northern Thailand.
Most of the basin is mountain area declining from west to east consists of the mixed
unit of steep slope highland soil series.
1.2 Major issues (Please use a circle):

FloodsDroughts

Water Quality

1.3 Latest event when the issue was evident according to above one(s):Variable/indicator & date:
1.4 Targets to be addressed through demonstration (up to 3):
To install telemetering station for observation and collection of Hydro-meteorological
data; For programming the flood warning model and effective water management
1.5 Objective: Flood forecast and early warning system
2. River basin characteristics
2.1 Climate regime (Please use a circle):
Very Humid

Humid

Temperate

Semi-arid

Arid

Cold/Tundra

2.2 Topography (minimum, average and maximum elevation): 300, 1000, 2500
2.3 Annual average rainfall of about [mm]:2.4 Dominant land use: forest and agriculture
2.5 Dominant soil type: mixed unit of steep slope highland soil
2.6 Geographic coordinates [Lon, Lat]: 98.5 to 98.83 E, 18.583 to 18.75 N
2.7 River basin map [JPEG] with location of major observation sites:80

3. Observation system
SURFACE

NumberHYDROLOGICAL

NumberAir Temperature

13

Stream flow

5

Humidity

4

Reservoir (Water level, Outflow)

Wind

4

Groundwater Table

Pressure

4

Evaporation

Precipitation

15

Soil Temperature

10

Soil Moisture

10

Atmosphere

NumberSnow Depth
Skin Temperature

4

Upward Shortwave Radiation

4

Planetary Boundary Layer Tower

Downward Shortwave Radiation

4

Pilot Balloon

Upward Long wave Radiation

4

Radiosonde

Downward Long wave Radiation

4

Radar

Net Radiation

Water Quality

Sensible Heat Flux

Groundwater quality indicators

Latent Heat Flux

Surface water quality indicators

Ground Heat Flux

OthersNumberNumber

CO2 Flux

4. Models, GIS, Data Integration System, Prediction System
4.1 Hydrological model: stage correlation model
4.2 Land Surface Scheme: SiBUC, MATSIRO

Meteorological model: MM5

4.3 List of digital GIS data at fine resolution (besides global data set): River line, Landuse, Soil type, 20-m contour line, point of village, road line
4.4 Data integration system: Water cycle information integrative system (UT)
4.5 Type of Prediction system and Downscaling technique:
Used mainly for: Floods

Droughts

Water Quality Monitoring

IWRM

5. Implementation Schedule of the Demonstration. Modify the arrows
ACTIVITIES

2008/I

Hydro-meteorological & water quality monitoring
Data integration system (input data preparation, quality
check)
Improvement of in-situ observation network system
Setting-up a Distributed Hydrological Model (optional
LSS)
Scenario Studies: Land use change analysis, dry
periods, etc.
Capacity building on Floods, Droughts & Water Quality
Parallel testing of the system at operational stage
IWRM plan development of floods, droughts & water
quality81

2008/II

2009/I

2009/II

2010/I

2010/II

2011/I

2011/II

Country: Uzbekistan River basin: Chirchik-Okhangaran Basin Area: 20160 [km2]1. Background, targeted issues and objective
1.1 Brief introduction to the river basin within four lines
It is Located in northeastern part of Uzbekistan. Snowmelt induced runoff of rivers of
the Chirchik – Okhangaran basin comprised 60-90% of the total stream flow. In
Chirchik -Okhangaran river basins have 19 hydropower stations. There are two rivers– Chirchik (161 km) and Okhangaron (223 km). River basin has 67 lakes withdifferent genesis type. This basin has 2384.6 thousand people.
1.2 Major issues (Please use a circle):

FloodsDroughts

Water Quality

1.3 Latest event when the issue was evident according to above one(s):Variable/indicator & date:Mudslide1969, March

1.4 Targets to be addressed through demonstration (up to 3):• Sediment transport• Impacts of hydrological process and on hydropower generation• To monitor the flow regimes in the rivers due to climate change
1.5 Objective: Determination of an adequate warning system for floods
2. River basin characteristics
2.1 Climate regime (Please use a circle):
Very Humid

Humid

Temperate

Semi-arid

Arid

Cold/Tundra

2.2 Topography (minimum, average and maximum elevation): 400, 600, 4301
2.3 Annual average rainfall of about [mm]:2.4 Dominant land use: agriculture
2.5 Dominant soil type:
2.6 Geographic coordinates [Lon, Lat]: 69.33 to 71.25 E, 40.167 to 42.25 N
2.7 River basin map [JPEG] with location of major observation sites:82

3. Observation system
SURFACE

NumberHYDROLOGICALAir Temperature

10

Stream flow

NumberHumidity

10

Reservoir (Water level, Outflow)

Wind

10

Groundwater Table

Pressure

10

Evaporation

3

Precipitation

22

Soil Temperature

10

Snow Depth

23

Soil Moisture3

Skin Temperature

Atmosphere

Number

Upward Shortwave Radiation

Planetary Boundary Layer Tower

Downward Shortwave Radiation

Pilot Balloon

Upward Long wave Radiation

Radiosonde

Downward Long wave Radiation

Radar

2

Net Radiation

Water Quality

NumberSensible Heat Flux

Groundwater quality indicators

Latent Heat Flux

19

Surface water quality indicators

Ground Heat Flux

2

CO2 Flux

2

OthersNumber

4. Models, GIS, Data Integration System, Prediction System
4.1 Hydrological model:
4.2 Land Surface Scheme:

Meteorological model:

4.3 List of digital GIS data at fine resolution (besides global data set):
4.4 Data integration system:
4.5 Type of Prediction system and Downscaling technique:
Used mainly for: Floods

Droughts

Water Quality Monitoring

IWRM

5. Implementation Schedule of the Demonstration. Modify the arrows
ACTIVITIES

2008/I

Hydro-meteorological & water quality monitoring
Data integration system (input data preparation, quality
check)
Improvement of in-situ observation network system
Setting-up a Distributed Hydrological Model (optional
LSS)
Scenario Studies: Land use change analysis, dry
periods, etc.
Capacity building on Floods, Droughts & Water Quality
Parallel testing of the system at operational stage
IWRM plan development of floods, droughts & water
quality83

2008/II

2009/I

2009/II

2010/I

2010/II

2011/I

2011/II

Country: Vietnam

Basin Area: 2830 [km2]River basin name: Huong

1. Background, targeted issues and objective
1.1 Brief introduction to the river basin within four lines
Huong river basin belongs to Thua Thien Hue province in coastal of the Central Viet
Nam. Huong river system contains 3 main rivers: Ta Trach, Huu Trach and Bo River.
Huong River is short and steep runs from mountain to the low plain area. Time ofconcentration is short and river basin has low storage capacity. Floods and inundation
often occur very quickly and severely.
1.2 Major issues (Please use a circle):

FloodsDroughts

Water Quality

1.3 Latest event when the issue was evident according to above one(s):Variable/indicator & date: 2320mm/3day

1999.11

1.4 Targets to be addressed through demonstration (up to 3):
To improve accuracy of the forecast, effective natural disaster preparedness,prevention measures and reduces the losses
1.5 Objective: To get efficient flood warning system
2. River basin characteristics
2.1 Climate regime (Please use a circle):
Very Humid

Humid

Temperate

Semi-arid

Arid

Cold/Tundra

2.2 Topography (minimum, average and maximum elevation): 500 - 1000
2.3 Annual average rainfall of about [mm]: 3000
2.4 Dominant land use: forests
2.5 Dominant soil type: erodible laterit soil
2.6 Geographic coordinates [Lon, Lat]: 107 to 108 E, 16 to 17 N
2.7 River basin map [JPEG] with location of major observation sites:84

3. Observation system
SURFACE

NumberAir Temperature

3

HYDROLOGICAL

NumberStream flow

1
1

Humidity

3

Reservoir (Water level, Outflow)

Wind

3

Groundwater Table

Pressure

1

Evaporation

3

Precipitation

7

Soil Temperature

3

Snow Depth

Soil Moisture3

Skin Temperature

Atmosphere

Upward Shortwave Radiation

Planetary Boundary Layer Tower

Downward Shortwave Radiation

Pilot Balloon

1

Upward Long wave Radiation

Radiosonde

1

Downward Long wave Radiation

Radar

2

Net Radiation

Water Quality

Sensible Heat Flux

Groundwater quality indicators

Latent Heat Flux

Surface water quality indicators

Ground Heat Flux

OthersNumberNumber
15

Number

CO2 Flux

4. Models, GIS, Data Integration System, Prediction System
4.1 Hydrological model: Multivariable regression, TANK, NAM, MARINE
4.2 Land Surface Scheme:

Meteorological model:

4.3 List of digital GIS data at fine resolution (besides global data set):
50 m DEM, land use, soil type, river network etc...
4.4 Data integration system: HydroMet Data, Digital Hydrological database, Digital
Meteorological database
4.5 Type of Prediction system and Downscaling technique: HRM, ETA and WBAR
Used mainly for: Floods

Droughts

Water Quality Monitoring

IWRM

5. Implementation Schedule of the Demonstration. Modify the arrows
ACTIVITIES

2008/I

Hydro-meteorological & water quality monitoring
Data integration system (input data preparation, quality
check)
Improvement of in-situ observation network system
Setting-up a Distributed Hydrological Model (optional
LSS)
Scenario Studies: Land use change analysis, dry
periods, etc.
Capacity building on Floods, Droughts & Water Quality
Parallel testing of the system at operational stage
IWRM plan development of floods, droughts & water
quality85

2008/II

2009/I

2009/II

2010/I

2010/II

2011/I

2011/IIAppendix C: Meetings
1st Asian Water Cycle Symposium, Tokyo, Japan, 2 – 4 November 2005: Agenda
Asian Water Cycle Symposium
The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan, 2-4 November 2005
Guiding Goal
To better understand the mechanism of Asian water cycle variability and to
improve its predictability, and furthermore to interpret the information applicable tovarious water environments in different countries, then to help to mitigate
water-related disasters and promote the efficient use of water resources.
Objectives（1）

Introduce planned and on-going demonstration projects and to discuss
how to move toward observation convergence in Asia.

（2）

Design a roadmap that will lead toward a GEOSS water data exchange
and sharing policy as a first step for establishing an ‘Asian GEOSS
Water Initiative’ and forging agreements on observation convergence,
interoperability, and data management within the overall architectureof GEOSS.

Wednesday, 2 November 2005:
8:30 – 9:00 Registration
9:00 – 9:30 1. Opening
1.1 Chairman of Organizing Committee (K. Musiake)
1.2 GEO
1.3 Host Organizations- CSTP- President of the University of Tokyo (H. Komiyama)
9:30 – 10:002. Introduction to GEOSS
2.1 GEOSS
2.2 Ad-hoc GEO IPTT Water Cycle Topic Coordinator (R. Lawford)
10:00 – 10:30

BREAK

10:30 – 11:30
3. Convergence of Observation
3.1 Upgrades to the existing in-situ network- WMO- UNESCO (A. Szollosi-Nagy)- Others
11: 30 – 12:00
3. Convergence of Observation – continued
3.2 Design of sophisticated in-situ observing system- FLUXNET- ARM- Others
12:00 – 13:00

LUNCH

13.00 – 14:00
3. Convergence of Observation – continued
3.3 Satellite Observations86

- CEOS- JAXA- Others
3.4

Coordination function for in-situ and satellite water cycle observations- GCOS- IGWCO (R. Lawford)- Others

14:00 – 15:30
4. Asian Demonstration Projects Dedicated to GEOSS
4.1 Indonesia
4.2 India
4.3 Pakistan
4.4 Nepal
15:30 – 16:00

BREAK

16:00 – 18:00
4. Asian Demonstration Projects Dedicated to GEOSS–continued
4.5 Bangladesh
4.6 Sri Lanka
4.7 Malaysia
4.8 Vietnam
4.9 Thailand
4.10 Mekong Committee
18:00 ADJOURN
18:30 Reception
Thursday, 3 November 2005:
9:00 – 10:304. Asian Demonstration Projects Dedicated to GEOSS–continued
4.11 Philippine
4.12 Mongolia
4.13 China
4.14 Korea
10:30 – 11:00

BREAK

11:00 – 12:30
5. Interoperability
5.1 In-situ Data Archiving and Quality Check (S. Williams)
5.2 User Interface for In-situ Data Archive in Asia (K. Tamagawa)
5.3 Metadata (R. Shibasaki)
5.4 Global Mapping
5.5 Others
12:30 – 13:30 LUNCH
13:30 – 15:30
6. Data Management
6.1 ICSU/WDC (D. Clark)
6.2 Data Infrastructure for Earth Environmental Research (M. Kitsuregawa)
6.3 Distributed Data Integration System + Demonstration (O. Ochiai, B.
Burford)
6.4 Centralized Data Integration System + Demonstration (T. Nemoto, E.
Ikoma, M. Yasukawa)
6.5 Data Integration and Information Fusion (M. Takagi)
6.6 Others8715:30 – 16:00 BREAK
16:00 – 18:00 7. International Science Programs/Projects
7.1 GWSP
7.2 MAIRS (C. Fu)
7.3 WCRP (G. Wu)
7.4 Pan-WCRP Monsoon (T. Yasunari)
7.5 MAHASRI (J. Matsumoto)
7.6 CEOP (T. Koike)
7.7 PUB (K. Takeuchi)
7.8 ICHARM (H. Terakawa)
7.9 GFAS (R. Oki)
7.10 Others
18:00

ADJOURN

Friday, 4 November 2005:
9:00 – 10:308. Discussion Session
8.1 Convergence of Observation- How to define the components of GEOSS Water in Asia;- How to converge or harmonize observation methods;- How to promote the use of standards and references,inter-calibration, and data assimilation.
10:30 – 11:00 BREAK
11:00 – 12:30
8. Discussion Session – continued
8.2 Interoperability- How to define and update interoperability arrangements, focusing ontechnical specifications for collecting, processing, storing, anddisseminating shared data, metadata and products.
8.3 Data Management- How to facilitate data management, information management, andcommon services- How to promote data policies
12:30 – 13:30

LUNCH

13:30 – 14:30

9. Drafting Session

14:30 – 15:00 BREAK
15:00 – 16:30

10. Summary Session

16:30 – 17:00

11. Closing Session

1st AWCI International Task Team Meeting, Bangkok, Thailand, 25 September 2006;
and the Workshop on Capacity Building in Asia: Earth Observations in the service ofwater management.
AgendasAgenda of the Asia Water Cycle Initiative (AWCI) International Task Team
(ITT) Working Session; Monday 25 September 2006
Rama Gardens Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand

88Monday 25 September 2006
08:00 – 08:30

Registration

08:30 – 09:00

Welcome Remarks, ITT members introduction

09:00 – 10:00

Introduction to the Asia Water Cycle Initiative and theInternational Integrated Water Data Access and Transfer in Asia
(Toshio Koike)--------------------------------10:00 – 10:30
BREAK--------------------------------10:30 – 12:00

Country reports based on the questionnaire – 5 minutes for eachcountry--------------------------------12:00 – 13:30
LUNCH--------------------------------13:30 – 14:30

Discussion – part 1: Demonstration project--------------------------------14:30 – 14:45
BREAK--------------------------------14:45 – 15:45

Discussion – part 2: Data policy--------------------------------15:45 – 16:00
BREAK--------------------------------16:00 – 17:00

Discussion – part 3: Inventory of available observations anddata--------------------------------17:00 – 17:30
BREAK--------------------------------17:30 – 18:30

Summary discussion – basis for the AWCI Implementation Plan--------------------------------18:30 ADJOURN--------------------------------We suppose that during the following three days of the Capacity Building Workshop,
there will be opportunities to further discuss the above issues and thus provide
sufficient basis for the draft proposal of the core of the Implementation Plan thatshould be thence discussed in individual participating countries.

CAPACITY BUILDING IN ASIA
"EARTH OBSERVATIONS IN THE SERVICE OF WATER MANAGEMENT"
Co-hosted by:
IGWCO, GEO, JAXA, UT, AIT, UNU, UN-ESCAP, WMO, WCRP and ICHARM
September 26-28, 2006; Ramagarden Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand

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DAY 1- Workshop for Policy Makers
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
08:00 – 08:30

Registration

OPENING (Chair: C. Ishida, Planning Manager , JAXA)
08:30 – 08:45 Welcome (Prof. Sudip Rakshit, Vice President of Research, Local
host_AIT)
Welcome (T. Takebayashi, Deputy Director, MEXT)
Welcome (H. Kozawa, Associate Executive Director, JAXA)
08:45 - 09:00

Keynote speech (Dr. Siripong Hungspreug, Director-General,
Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Agriculture andCooperatives, Thailand (TBC))

PLENARY 1: OVERVIEW (Chair: C. Ishida, Planning Manager, JAXA)Plenary one will provide an overview of the current state of water management issues
in Asian countries. This session will highlight concerns and usage of technology andscience in water management.
09:00 – 09:15

Overview of GEO activities for Water and Capacity Building, andexpectation of this Workshop (Antti Herlevi, Senior Programme
Officer, GEO Secretariat)

09:15 – 09:30

Overview of IGWCO and its Capacity Building activities including theresult of March Workshop (R. Lawford,Director, International
GEWEX Project Office)

09:30 – 09:45

Report of activity on Asian Water Cycle Symposium (T.
Koike,Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University ofTokyo)
BREAK

09:45 – 10:05

PLENARY 2: CAPACITY BUILDING AND BEST PRACTICES FOR APPLICATIONS OF
EARTH OBSERVATIONS FOR WATER MANAGEMENT- INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONALPROGRAMS(Chair : T. Koike, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Tokyo,)
Observing systems including satellites for water management are providing successstories all over Asia. Plenary two will highlight some of those projects serving water
management concerns in Asian countries.
10:05 – 10:20
10:20 – 10:35
10:35 – 10:50
10:50 – 11:05
11:05 – 11:20
11:20 – 11:35
11:35 – 11:50
11:50 – 12:05
12:05 – 12:20

CEOS/TIGER (ESA(TBC))
GISTDA (Surachai, (TBC))LAPAN (O. Roswintiarti, Head, Natural Resources and Environmental
Monito)
JAXA/Earth Observation Program and Water Management Services(R. Oki, Senior Researcher,JAXA)WMO (R. Lawford, Director, International GEWEX Project Office)
UN-ESCAP (Ti Le-Huu, Officer-in-Charge of Water Resources,
Environment and Sustainable Development Division)
UNU (S. Herath, Senior Academic Programme Officer, UNU)
AIT (L. Samarakoon, Director, Geoinfomatics Center)
Mekong River Commission (Truong Hong Tien, Program
Coordinator)

12:20 – 13:30 LUNCH

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PLENARY 3: CAPACITY BUILDING AND BEST PRACTICES FOR APPLICATIONS OF
EARTH OBSERVATIONS FOR WATER MANAGEMENT- NATIONAL PROGRAMS(Chair: J. Matsumoto, Professor, Tokyo Metropolitan University)
13:30 – 13:40
13:40 – 13:50
13:50 – 14:00
14:00 – 14:10
14:10 – 14:20
14:20 – 14:30
14:30 – 14:40
14:40 – 15:10

Activities in Japan (T. Koike, Professor, Department of Civil
Engineering, University of Tokyo)
Activities in Korea (D. H. Bae, Professor, College ofEngineering,Sejong University)
Activities in China (L. Ai, Deputy Director, International Project
Office of MAIRS)
Activities in Mongolia (D. Azzaya, Director,Institute of Meteorology
and Hydrology)
Activities in Vietnam ( Thi Tan Thanh Nguyen, Deputy Director,
Upper-Air Meteorological Observatory[TBC])
Activities in Lao PDR (Somphanh Vittaya, Hydrologist, Deputy Chiefof Hydrological Division)
Activities in Cambodia (Bunnavuth Ku, Assistant,National
Committee for Disaster Management)
BREAK(Chair: L. Samarakoon, ,Director,Geoinfomatics Center)
15:10 – 15:20 Activities in Myanmar (Tin Yi, Staff Officer, Department ofMeteorology and Hydrology)
15:20 – 15:30 Activities in Malaysia (A. Majid, Malaysian Center for Remote
Sensing)
15:30 – 15:40 Activities in Indonesia (Joesron Loebis, Chairman, IndonesianHydrology Society)15:40 – 15:50 Activities in Philippine (R. T. Perez, Wether Services Chief, Flood
Forecasting Branch)
15:50 – 16:00 Activities in Sri Lanka (Nihal Rupasinghe, Chairman,Central
Engineering Consultancy Bureau)
16:00 – 16:10 Activities in Bhutan (Nado Rinchhen, Deputy Minister, National
Environment Commission)
16:10 – 16:20 Activities in Nepal (K. P. Sharma, Deputy Director General,
Department of Hydrology and Meteorology)
16:20 – 16:30 Activities in India (R. Kumar, Scientist, National Institute ofHydrogy)
16:30 – 17:00

BREAK

17:00 – 17:10

Activities in Bangladesh (Sazed K. Chowdhury, Superentend
Engineer, Bangladesh Water Development Board)
Activities in Pakistan (Muhammad Akram Kahlown, Chairman,
Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources)
Activities in Iran (Mohammad Javad Abedini, Faculty Member, Civil
Engineering)
Activities in Uzbekistan (Sergey Myagkov, Deputy Director,
Hydrometeorological Research Institute)
Activities in Russia (K. Valeriy, Deputy Head, Ministry of Natural
Resources of Russia)
Activities in Central African Republic (M. Aline,GEO Member,
Geosciences and Environment (TBC))

17:10 – 17:20
17:20 – 17:30
17:30 – 17:40
17:40 – 17:50
17:50 – 18:00

18:30 – 21:00 POSTER VIEWING AND RECEPTION
Days 2 and 3– Workshop for Earth observation providers and water resource
managers

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Wednesday, September 27, 2006
PLENARY 4: AVAILABLE DATA, TOOLS AND OPPORTUNITIES(Chair: R. Lawford,Director,International GEWEX Project Office,(IGPO) [TBC])
While data assimilation provides an emerging method for drawing together data setsfrom various sources into a format that makes them easier to use in water
management, new tools are becoming available that enable water managers tovisualize the current and future effects of weather and human factors on water
through mapping and graphing capabilities. Plenary four will provide examples ofthese techniques and show their application in different parts of the world, including
Asian countries.
08:00 – 08:20
08:20 – 08:40
08:40 – 09:00
09:00 – 09:20
09:20 – 09:40
09:40 – 10:00

ICHARM (K. Fukami, Chief, Hydrogic Engineering Research Team)MAHASRI (J. Matsumoto, Professor, Tokyo Metropolitan University)
PUB (S. B. Weerakoon, Associate Professor, University of
Peradeniya)
JEPP (M. Yamanaka, Senior Scientist, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth
Science and Technology(JAMSTEC))
CliC in Asian Region (T. Ohata, Program Director, Japan Agency for
Marine-Earth Science and Technology(JAMSTEC))CEOP (T. Koike, Professor, Department of Civil Engineering,
University of Tokyo)

10:00 – 10:30

BREAK

10:30 – 10:50
10:50 – 11:10

MAIRS (L. Ai, Deputy Director, International Project Office of MAIRS)ISRO Space Application Center (Y. V. N. Krishnamurthy, Head,Regional Remote Sensing Center)
Sentinel Asia (H. Kai,Associate Senior Engineer,JAXA)River Basin Management (D. H. Bae, Professor,College ofEngineering, Sejong University)
EWBMS: water resources monitoring and flow forecasting on thebasis of geostationary satellite data (A. Rosema, Director,
Environmental Analysis and Remote Sensing)
ITC: FROM “BUILDING CAPACITY” TO “BUILDING ON CAPACITY” (Ms.
Marjan Kreijns)

11:10 – 11:30
11:30 – 11:50
11:50 – 12:10
12:10 – 12:30

12:30 – 13:30 LUNCH
WORKING GROUPS
Three working groups will be convened to further discuss the topics below. The
working groups are to identify available data and tools, and to propose a regional
application project which contributes to GEOSS Water Management SBA. It is
expected that this dialogue will be interactive. Participants are asked to make no
prepared presentations, unless asked by the organizers, so that the working groupwill be an open, flowing discussion of ideas and sharing of concerns in these areas asthey pertain to Asia.
13:30 – 17:30
Break-Out Sessions
Working Group I: Flooding (Co-Chairs: K. Fukami, Chief, Hydrogic Engineering
Research Team + Tanka
Kafel, Senior Project Researcher,
Geoinformatics Center,AIT, Rapporture: H. Kai, Associate SeniorEngineer, JAXA )Working Group II: Drought (Co-Chairs: L .Ai, Deputy Director, International Project
Office of MAIRS + D. Azzaya, Director, Institute of Meteorology andHydrology, Rapporture: TBD)

92

Working Group III: Water Quality (Chair: Bilqis Amin Hoque, Chairperson and Headof Research, Environment and Population Research Center,
Rapporture: S. Greb, Chief Hydrologist and a Member of
IGOS-IGWCO, Department of Natural Resources)
Thursday, September 28, 2006
PLENARY 5: REPORTS FROM WORKING GROUPS(Chair: R. Lawford, Director, International GEWEX Project Office [TBC], Rapporture:
Tanka Kafel [TBC])
This plenary will serve as the reporting mechanism for the finds of the working group
discussions of the previous day. This will facilitate an open, cross-section of ideas asparticipants comment on all three working groups; a Q&A session will be included.
08:30 – 09:00
09:00 – 09:30
09:30 – 10:00

Report from Working Group I: Flooding (Co-Chairs: K. Fukami+Tanka Kafel, Senior Project Researcher, Geoinformatics Center,
AIT)
Report from Working Group II: Drought (Co-Chairs: L. Ai, Deputy
Director, International Project Office of MAIRS + D. Azzaya, Director,
Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology)
Report from Working Group III: Water Quality (Chair: Bilqis Amin
Hoque, Chairperson and Head of Research, Environment andPopulation Research Center)

10:00 – 10:30

BREAK

10:30 – 12:00

Discussion and wrap-up

CLOSING
12:00-12:10

Closing remarks (T. Koike, Professor, Department of Civil
Engineering, University of Tokyo)

12:10

Adjourn

2nd Asian Water Cycle Symposium, Tokyo, 9-10 January 2007: Agenda
2nd Asian Water Cycle Symposium
The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan, 9-10 January 2007
Guiding Goal
Toward convergence of observation and capacity building for promoting theIntegrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approach through application of
integrated earth observation data, model output, downscaling techniques to address
local water resources management issues in a river basin.
Objectives
To discuss a baseline implementation plan of the Demonstration Projects andrespective proposals for the Demonstration Projects on nominated river basins inindividual countries.
Tuesday, 9 January 2007:
9:00 -- 9:30 Registration
9:30 -- 9:45 1. Opening

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1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4

K. Musiake, Chairman of Organizing Committee
O.Ochiai, GEO Secretary
S. Sakamoto, MEXT
T. Koike, University of Tokyo

9:45 -- 10:30
2. AWCI Activity Reports
2.1 The 1st Asian Water Cycle Symposium and the International Task Team
Meeting T. Koike (20min)
2.2 GEO/IGWCO Capacity Building C. Ishida + 3 WG Co-Chairs (25min)
10:30 -- 10:45 BREAK
10:45 -- 12:00
3. A Baseline of GEOSS/AWCI Demonstration Projects
3. 1 Objectives
3. 2 Criteria of candidate river basins
3. 3 Timeline
3. 4 Which data do we need?
3. 5 Data Policy
3. 6 Water and Sanitation Broad Partnership Initiative (WASABI) M. Nishimura(Mofa)
12:00 -- 13:00
LUNCH
13.00 -- 15:00
4. Country Proposals (1) (8min each)
4. 1 Bangladesh
4. 2 Bhutan
4. 3 Cambodia
4. 4 China
4. 5 India
4. 6 Indonesia
4. 7 Japan
4. 8 Korea
4. 9 Laos
4.10 Malaysia
4.11 Mongolia
4.12 Myanmar
15:00 -- 15:30
BREAK
15:30 -- 16:40
4. Country Proposals (2) (8min each)
4.13 Nepal
4.14 Pakistan
4.15 Philippines
4.16 Sri Lanka
4.17 Thailand
4.18 Uzbekistan
4.19 Vietnam
16:40 -- 18:00

5. Cooperative Existing Projects, Programs, and Systems(8min each)
5. 1 ICHARM K. Fukami
5. 2 UNU
S. Herath
5. 3 MRC
T. H. Tien
5. 4 JAXA
C. Ishida
5. 5 JAMSTEC T. Ohata
5. 6 OCCCO (JACCO) T.Fujitani
5. 7 GWSP
C.Liu
5. 8 CEOP
S.Williams

18:10 ADJOURN
18:30 Reception94

1st GEOSS AWCI International Coordination Group Meeting, Bali, Indonesia, 9September 2007: Agenda
Asian Water Cycle Initiative (AWCI)International Coordination Group (ICG)
Bali, Indonesia, 9 September 2007
Objectives
To move forward and implement the baseline idea approved at the 2nd Asian Water
Cycle Symposium held in Tokyo, 9 – 10 January 2007, International Coordination
Group (ICG) will discuss about a draft implementation plan through coordination ofrelated activities.
Sunday, 9 September 2007:
8:30 -- 9:00 Registration
9:30 -- 10:30 1. AWCI Activity Reports
1.1 The 2nd Asian Water Cycle Symposium and the follow-up activities T. Koike(30min)1.2 AWCI Capacity Building C. Ishida and 3 Co-Chairs (30min)
10:30 -- 12:00 2. Country Report: preparatory step for AWCI/ water topics(5min each)Bangladesh/Bhutan/Cambodia/China/India/Indonesia/Japan/Korea/Laos/Mongolia
Myanmar/Nepal/Pakistan/Philippines/Sri Lanka/Thailand/Uzbekistan/Vietnam
12:00 -- 13:00 LUNCH
13:00 – 15:30 3. AWCI Implementation Planning
3.1 Objectives
3.2 Convergence of Observation/Data Integration and Analysis/Information Sharing
3.3 Capacity Building
3.4 Country Activities
15:30 – 16:00 BREAK
16:00 – 17:00 4. Scientific and Technical Topics
4.1 River Basin Meta-data Design
4.2 Application Studies
17:00 – 18:00 5. Discussion Summary and Way Forward
18:00 ADJOURN

3rd Asian Water Cycle Symposium, Beppu, Japan, 2-4 December 2007: Agenda

Sunday, 2 December 2007

8:30
–
9:00

Registration

9:00
–
9:20

1.Opening
1.1 K. Musiake, Chairman of Organizing Committee
1.2 Y. Horikawa, JAXA

95

9:20
–
10:35

2. AWCI Activity Reports
2.1 AWCI Capacity Building framework -S. Herath (30min)
2.2 The first ICG, follow-up activities and proposals -C. Ishida and 3
Co-Chairs (45min)

10:35
–
11:00

BREAK

11:00
–
12:15

3. Participating Organization Capacity Building Program (1)JAXA / AIT, China, ISRO, MRC, UNU (15min each)

12:15
–
13:15

LUNCH

13:15
–
14:45

4. Country Report: GEOSS / AWCI “capacity building” program
Bangladesh / Bhutan / Cambodia / India / Indonesia / Korea / Laos /Mongolia / Myanmar / Nepal / Pakistan / Philippines / Sri Lanka / Thailand /Uzbekistan / Vietnam (5min each)

14:45
–
15:15

BREAK

15:15
–
18:15

5. GEOSS / AWCI “Capacity Building” Implementation Plan
Development
5.1 Plenary session; Objectives and guidance
5.2 Breakout sessions - Floods WG - Drought WG - Water quality WG
5.3 Plenary session; WG reports and coordination

18:15

ADJOURN

Monday, 3 December 2007
9:00
10:00

6. Review of revised draft of GEOSS / AWCI “Capacity Building”
Implementation Plan

10:00
10:30

BREAK

10:30
11:30

7. Adoption of the GEOSS / AWCI “Capacity Building”
Implementation Plan

11:30
12:00

8. Summary report of GEOSS / AWCI -T.Koike (30min)

12:00
13:00

LUNCH

96

13:00–
15:00

9. Country Report : GEOSS / AWCI “demonstration” projects
Bangladesh /Bhutan / Cambodia / India / Indonesia / Korea / Laos / Mongolia/ Myanmar / Nepal / Pakistan / Philippines / Sri Lanka / Thailand / Uzbekistan/ Vietnam (8min each)

15:00
–
15:30

BREAK

15:30
–
17:30

10. International cooperation and supports
10.1 Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) -S. Masuda (20min)
10.2 Asian Development Bank (ADB) -K.E. K Seetharam (20 min)10.3 The Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN) -Y.
Imanari (20min)
10.4 UNESCO / ICHARM -K. Fukami(20 min)10.5 JAXA’s Water Cycle Observation Program -C. Ishida (20 min)10.6 GSMaP -K.Okamoto (20 min)10.7 WCRP / GEWEX / CEOP -S. Benedict (20 min)

17:30

ADJOURN

18:30

RECEPTION

Tuesday, 4 December 2007
9:00
–
10:00

11. AWCI Technical Reports
11.1 CEOP Data Management -S. Williams(15min)11.2 Information Grid for Water Cycle Study -N.Sahavechaphan(15 min)11.3 Distributed Hydrological Model -Y. Dawen(15min)
11.4 DHM Applications -O. Saavedra (15mim)

10:00
–
10:30

BREAK

10:30
–
12:20

12. Open Session "Toward Convergence -GEOSS / AWCI-"
12.1 GEOSS / AWCI Video Session (10min)
12.2 WCRP / GEWEX and GEOSS-IGOS / Water -R. Lawford(20min)
12.3 Current activities for flood forecasting enhancement in Korea -D-G.
Bae(20min)
12.4 Data Integration System Development -M. Kitsuregawa (20min)
12.5 Ontology and Metadata -R. Shibasaki (20 min)12.6 Integrated Water Resources Management System -T. Koike (20 min)

12:20
–
13:20

LUNCH

13:20
–
15:20

13. AWCI Implementation Planning13.1 Objectives
13.2 Convergence of Observation / Data Integration and Analysis /Information Sharing
13.3 Capacity Building
13.4 Country Activities

15:20
–
15:50

BREAK

97

15:50–
17:00

14. Discussion Summary and Way Forward

17:00

ADJOURN

Appendix D
Funding sources outside the APN
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT), Japan:
financial support
University of Tokyo (UT), Japan: financial and in-kind support
Japan Aerospace and Exploration Agency (JAXA), Japan: financial and in-kind support
Office for Coordination of Climate Change Observation (OCCCO), Japan: financial andin-kind support
Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), Japan: financial
and in-kind support
International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM), Japan:
in-kind support
United Nations University (UNU), Japan: in-kind support
Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand: in-kind support
Kasetsart University, Thailand: in-kind support

98