Industrial Engineering Journal

ISSN: 0970-2555
Volume : 52, Issue 8, August : 2023

Flood Monitoring System Using Internet of Things.

Dr Ravi Sravanthi received her B.Tech Degree in Electronics and Communication
Engineering from PBR VITS, Kavali, JNTU Anantapuramu, A.P, India in 2002, Master of
Technology in VLSI design from Satyabhama University, Chennai, Tamilnadu, AP in 2010.
She did her Ph.D in JNTUA Anantapuramu, AP, India. She has twenty years of teaching
experience Her research area is in VLSI design, Signal, image and video processing, machine
learning. She has published 15 research papers in National and International journals.
Prathyusha Chandra Student of Master of Technology in VLSI design at PBR Visvodaya
institute of technology & science, Kavali, A.P, India.

ABSTRACT: A large amount of water KEYWORDS: NodeMCU, IoT, Flood,

overflowing is a natural disaster that Ultrasonic.
occurs worldwide, causing significant
harm to the environment. One issue that
arises during flash floods is that residents I. INTRODUCTION
may not have sufficient time to relocate
their valuable possessions to safer areas. Flooding is a global issue resulting from
To address this problem, it is necessary to poor water resource management that
create technology that can monitor and causes negative impacts such as erosion
alert individuals about potential flooding. and pollution. A possible solution to
The system is designed to gather, monitor mitigate the damage caused by floods is
and analyze data from two different through the implementation of a flood
sources. Each location is equipped with a monitoring system that uses advanced
flood detection system that includes an technologies such as the Internet of Things
ultrasonic sensor for measuring water level (IoT). The IoT technology has been
changes, and a NodeMCU device for data utilized in various sectors, including smart
collection. The water level is a crucial cities, education, and healthcare. This
indicator of potential flooding, and the research paper proposes the use of IoT in a
collected data is transmitted to mobile flood monitoring system.
device which is a IOT application, An alert
2. LITERATURE SURVEY
message is then sent directed toward
registered mobile no. By using this flood The flood monitoring systems using IOT
monitoring system, public authorities may have caught the attention of the research
stay informed about rising water levels and community. J. W. Simatupang and
potential floods. colleagues [1] employed Arduino and
ultrasonic sensor components to detect
floods and send alerts to end- users

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ISSN: 0970-2555
Volume : 52, Issue 8, August : 2023
through GSM and GPRS technologies. integrated into the system. In [5], another
However, the use of these technologies system has been proposed to predict
could negatively impact Arduino's various parameters including water level,
functionality, leading to reduced module weather conditions, and water flow. The
functionality and low responsiveness [2]. system communicates real-time data from
To enhance the stability and security of the sensors to a mobile application. However,
system and improve signal reliability, an it lacks an emergency alert feature.
Ethernet shield could be added.
Furthermore, the authors in [6] presented a
Nonetheless, the absence of real-time
system that enables the government's
monitoring of parameter changes is a
emergency cell management to receive
limitation of this method and is associated
timely risk alerts during emergencies. The
with Costly charges due to the additional
system leverages temperature, humidity,
charges from GSM, GPRS and Ethernet
and level sensors to collect relevant data,
shield expenses. Additionally, the system's
which is then processed using the
responsiveness is poor.
ESP8266 microcontroller. During
Further, in a previous study [3], the authors emergencies, the system displays the
developed a system utilizing Arduino and collected data and sends alert messages to
ESP8266 to create a WiFi network, which citizens. One way to enhance the system
stores sensor information in a database. could be to allow users to view sensor data
They also created an Android application in real-time, which would provide
for registered users to access real-time data additional benefits.
from these sensors. However, this system
Additionally, a group of researchers A.
has limitations. It could be improved by
Diriyana et al. [7] utilized various
using the NodeMCU ESP8266 as both
technologies to create a system for
storage and WiFi, but currently, it only
displaying data and providing flood early
allows registered users with compatible
warning information. Their system
devices to access the data. Additionally, it
involved the use of an Arduino Uno
only considers one river as the source of
microcontroller board to present
flooding and may not be cost-effective.
information, a NodeMCU for data
Moreover, in [4], a novel solution has been management and storage, an ultrasonic
implemented to help mitigate the sensor for distance detection, the
consequences of disasters. The system ThingSpeak web application for displaying
comprises two sensors that are ultrasonic and notifying real-time information by
sensor and water flow sensor. It also uses a using the Telegram platform. While their
NodeMCU ESP8266 as a microcontroller system was effective, it was not cost-
as well as a Blynk application. To enhance efficient. To improve its cost-effectiveness,
its capabilities, the system can incorporate the researchers suggest using NodeMCU
a that can keep track of variations in to both display and manage data. They
rainfall levels. A raindrop sensor can be

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ISSN: 0970-2555
Volume : 52, Issue 8, August : 2023
recommend incorporating a device to causing the flood. The intention is to
detect rainfall intensity in the vicinity. provide real-time information about
flooding, aiding authorities in the efficient
This project aims to generate a system for
protection of the environment. This output
detecting floods that can gather
serves as a crucial aid for decision-makers
information on the factors that contribute
in addressing the impact of flooding not
to flooding in a particular region by
just in Rwanda, but also in other
detecting changes in those variables. The
mountainous areas around the globe.
system will also determine the severity of
the flood, enabling timely action to be
taken.
3. PROPOSED SYSTEM
It is worth noting that previous research
CLASSIFICATION MODEL AND
studies [1-7] have focused solely on a
DESCRIPTION
single river or location as the main
contributor to flooding. In contrast, this This section presents an original
paper introduces several key contributions, classification model for an IoT_based
including the use of two distinct locations flood monitoring system, which comprises
to accurately predict incoming floods. The both tangible and intangible components.
study alsoleverages NodeMCU esp8266,
which is equipped with an Ethernet shield, The overall classification model
to effectively connect and transfer data.
The flood monitoring classification model
Additionally, public authorities are notified
which illustrates two locations of a flood.
about upcoming floods, enabling them to
Each location has a channel flood detector
inform citizens on time. Finally, the study
consisting of a microcontroller and
presents detailed channel statistics based
sensors. The sensors measure the height of
on real-time data entries over time.
the water in the river and the intensity of
A system for tracking floods has been the rain around the river. The information
developed, which utilizes ultrasonic and collected by the sensors is transmitted to
raindrop sensors to detect input the ThingSpeak web server via the built-in
parameters. If flooding is detected, A WiFi of NodeMCU. ThingSpeak serves as
notification is issued and conveyed to the a flood monitoring system, where the data
responsible decision-makers through the received from both flood detector systems
use of the ThingSpeak application and is saved, examined, anddisplayed
IFTTT. A prototype of this system has graphically. The IFTTT which is a web
been developed and tested to ensure its server is used to send message
effectiveness. notifications to users,alerting them about
the current state of affairs.
The system being suggested is deployed in
two brooks, both of which play a role in

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ISSN: 0970-2555
Volume : 52, Issue 8, August : 2023

Fig -1depicts the flood monitoring classification model.

The process of connecting the hardware The flood detector system monitors the
components water levels in each stream and the
intensity of rainfall. The increase in water
In the workshop, an IoT-based flood
is measured using HC-SR04 ultrasonic
monitoring system was built and set up on
device. A rain drop instrument is employed
a circuit board. The hardware connection
to detect rain on its surface, displaying
of the system, as shown in Fig -2 involved
analog values for rain intensity. The
connecting two flood detector system to a
nodeMCU facilitates the transmission of
computer for testing and monitoring
information to web applications, and
purposes. The software used included
Light-emitting diodes offer extensive
Arduino IDE, ThingSpeak and the If This
status signals for flooding conditions. Data
Then That (IFTTT) application.Both
in ThingSpeak is both saved and evaluated
detectors share a common hardware setup
with the MQTT protocol. For authorized
consisting of a breadboard, nodeMCU,
users, ThingSpeak issues warning
HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor, 5 LEDs and
messages with the assistance of IFTTT.
buzzer. The first flood detector is
designated for the Mpazi river location
while the second one is designated for the
brook location.

Fig -2: A. Flood Detectors

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 Industrial Engineering Journal
ISSN: 0970-2555
Volume : 52, Issue 8, August : 2023
The flood detector system monitors the
water levels in each stream and the
Fig -3: System Flowchart
intensity of rainfall. The increase in water
is measured using HC-SR04 ultrasonic The readings recorded by the ultrasonic
device. A rain drop instrument is employed sensor are classified into three categories
to detect rain on its surface, displaying based on the risk of flooding. To capture
analog values for rain intensity. The readings, the flood detection system
nodeMCU facilitates the transmission of incorporates an ultrasonic sensor that is
information to webapplications, and mounted onto the surface of the
Light-emitting diodes offer extensive water.When the water is in normal
status signals for flooding conditions. Data condition, a notification is sent ndicating
in ThingSpeak is both saved and evaluated that the level of water is ordinary and there
with the MQTT protocol. For authorized is no risk of overflowing. If the water level
users, ThingSpeakissues warning messages is critical, a notification is sent to warn that
with the assistance of IFTTT. there may be a risk of flooding and caution
is advised. If the water level is unsafe, an
System Flowchart
alert message is sent and a buzzer is
A visual representation outlining the activated to sound a flood alert. The water
various processes and steps within the level and rainfall intensity in the area
system is depicted in the flowchart that is around the stream are monitored using
illustrated in Fig -3. After initialization, the NODEMCU where ThingSpeak receives
NodeMCU establishes a connection to the the data and uses it to refresh the web
Wi-Fi and MQTT protocol. It thenproceeds application with up-to-date information. If
to receive data from both sensors. The the predefined threshold value is satisfied,
measurements from the ultrasonic sensor ThingSpeakwill automatically activate an
are evaluated against pre-programmed external application called IFTTT.
threshold values. The range of these
USED MATERIALS
readings typically falls between 0 to 400
centimeters, as reported in prior studies HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor
[8].
The HC-SR04 Ultrasonic sensor is
commonly used distance measuring sensor
in electronics and robotics projects. It is
specifically designed to measure the
distance between the surface

of water and the sensor and can accurately

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ISSN: 0970-2555
Volume : 52, Issue 8, August : 2023
measure distances between 2 centimeters
and 4 meters. The HC-SR04 sensor
consists of four pins that are Vcc, GND,
Trig, and Echo and operates on a 5V Fig -5: NodeMCU
power supply[9]. It is a relatively
inexpensive and easy-to- use sensor. ThingSpeak

ThingSpeak is a freely accessible platform

that has been developed specifically for the
Fig -4: Hc-Sr04 Ultrasonic Sensor analysis of Internet of Things (IoT) data. It
allows internet- connected devices to send
data using the MQTT protocol [11][12]. It
NodeMCU offers data storage, analysis, and
visualization capabilities. The platform can
NodeMCU is similar to the Arduino IDE
be used in three main steps: first, creating
in that it has all of the pin functionality of
a channel and collecting data, secondly
NodeMCU boards. The actual GPIO pin
analyzing and visualizing the data online,
can be found behind the board, making it
and lastly acting based on the data[13]. In
easy to program with any compiler.
this study, the sensor data was collected by
NodeMCU has a significant advantage
connecting the sensors to a NodeMCU
with its Wi-Fi API feature, which enables
device, which then uploaded the data to
it to connect to various devices and
ThingSpeak using the channel number,
retrieve information from the internet. This
write API, and author details. To connect
feature enables users to control their
NodeMCU to the network, a network
devices from anywhere in the world.
SSID and password were used. We then
NodeMCU has a limitation in that it only
employed the ThingSpeak channel to keep
supports a single ADC, resulting in the
track of the water level and the intensity of
device possessing just one analog pin. The
the rainfall.
resolution of the ADC pin is 10 bits
allowing it to read values between 0 and IFTTT
1024. The maximum voltage that can be
IFTTT is a free online service that enables
read by the ADC pin is 1V, and any
users to create applets which perform an
reading above this, up to the Vcc of 3.3V,
action when a trigger occurs. In our study,
is set to the maximum value of 1024[10].
we developed an applet consisting of a
single app web hook[14]. This applet can
be created by following a series of steps
using any internet-connected computer
[15]. Once created, an URL is generated
which can be used to send alerting
messages when a particular trigger

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ISSN: 0970-2555
Volume : 52, Issue 8, August : 2023
condition is fulfilled. By using IFTTT, we environment for building and testing web
are able to send push notifications. To applications.
trigger notifications through IFTTT, we
In this system, we used xampp to create
utilize the ThingHTTP app.
and test a web-based user interface that
displays real-time data from sensors. It
serves as a secure platform for storing data
SYSTEM ANALYSIS
gathered by the flood detector system in a
In Fig -6, we can see the results of the database that is accessible to users.
system analysis. The flood detector system Additionally, the web programming aspect
is capable of detecting both water levels of Xampp plays a crucial role in
and rain intensity. Afterward, the flood facilitating web development and
monitoring data is transmitted to the server presenting flood-related information in a
of the information system through Wi- Fi. visually appealing manner.
This system for monitoring floods
processes data in real-time and makes it
available for visualization. Users can 4. RESULTS
access and view the data online.
In this chapter, we present our findings and
provide a detailed explanation of the found
results.To test the prototype of our flood
monitoring system, we assembled the
breadboard with nodeMCU and sensors, as
shown in Fig-2. The system was then
tested At Rwampara Brook and Mpazi
Brook, which are two separate locations.
By establishing a remote connection
between NodeMCU and the web services
(ThingSpeak and IFTTT). We were able to
update the fields of the ThingSpeak
channel with live data and trigger
Fig -6: Flood Monitoring System Analysis notifications based on the readings.
There are multiple software tools available Specifically, public authorities were
to support the development of a flood alerted via email by utilizing the combined
detection system. Xampp and web functionalities of ThingSpeak and IFTTT.
programming components are two well- The results of the classification model
known examples. Xampp is a free and show that nodeMCU was used to read the
open-source cross-platform software values of two flood detectors. Each
package that provides a local web server detector sent its readings to ThingSpeak,
which in turn the fields were refreshed

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ISSN: 0970-2555
Volume : 52, Issue 8, August : 2023
with the latest data. By visualizing and
analyzing the live information regarding
the Mpazi and Rwampara streams.
ThingSpeak was able to provide valuable
insights into flood patterns and potential
risks.

To evaluate the flood monitoring system in

Rwanda, a connection test is performed to
confirm its functionality. The system
utilizes HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensors and
raindrop sensors to detect water levels and Fig -7: Flood Monitoring System Analysis
rain intensity at two brooks. After
The data collected from the flood detector
gathering analog data, it is sent to the
systems Brook locations are stored in a
ThingSpeak web application in the form of
single channel named IoT flood
graphics using NodeMCU. The system is
Monitoring system. The channel has four
designed to automatically send the data to
fields, with field charts1 and 2 containing
the ThingSpeak application once collected.
data from location, and field charts 3 and 4
However, the speed of data transmission is
containing data from theBrook location.
dependent on factors such as the signal
This information is illustrated in Fig -7.
from the cellular network, the time at
which it was sent, and the application
programming interface (API) provided by
ThingSpeak. 5. CONCLUSION

The real data collected from devices A flood monitoring system using Internet
placed in two distinct areas, specifically of Things was designed, which collects
Rwampara and Mpazi Brooks, have been information using sensors such as a
presented using the ThingSpeak raindrop sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and a
application. The results and relevant microcontroller named NodeMCU
information can be observed in Fig -8. esp8266. The data collected by
microcontroller was processed and
transmitted to the ThingSpeak flood
monitoring system via the MQTT protocol.
Through this system, flood data from two
different locations could be visualized in
real-time on the ThingSpeak server.
Additionally, any inaccuracies detected by
the flood detector system could be
corrected. The prototype was successfully
tested, and the flood monitoring system's

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ISSN: 0970-2555
Volume : 52, Issue 8, August : 2023
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