Early warning systems are important for reducing the impact of:

Early warning systems are important for reducing the impact of all of the above: floods, earthquakes, and landslides.

• Floods: Early warning systems can provide advance notice of floods, allowing people to evacuate to higher ground and take other precautions. For example, the Brahmaputra Basin Flood Early Warning System in India and Bangladesh uses a network of river gauges, rainfall sensors, and satellite data to predict floods and issue warnings up to 72 hours in advance.
• Earthquakes: Early warning systems can detect earthquakes and provide advance notice of shaking, allowing people to take cover and protect themselves from falling objects. For example, the Japan Meteorological Agency’s Earthquake Early Warning System can provide warnings up to 0.5 seconds before shaking arrives.
• Landslides: Early warning systems can detect landslides and provide advance notice of movement, allowing people to evacuate to safety. For example, the La Conchita Landslide Early Warning System in California uses a network of sensors to monitor ground movement and issue warnings when landslides are imminent.

Early warning systems can save lives and reduce property damage. They are an important tool for disaster risk reduction.

In addition to the above, early warning systems can also be used to reduce the impact of other hazards, such as tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and wildfires.