SAEON has partnered with Zindi and Google DeepMind to tackle one of South Africa’s most pressing environmental challenges – urban flooding. The partnership aims to utilise the capability of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to enhance resilience towards sustainable development.

A partnership for innovation 

Google DeepMind, a world-leading AI research lab, brings its ground-breaking expertise to the initiative. DeepMind is committed to advancing responsible AI to deliver scientific breakthroughs and practical tools that improve lives globally.

Combining SAEON’s environmental expertise, Zindi’s robust platform for developing AI challenges and DeepMind’s cutting-edge AI expertise, this collaboration aims to unlock solutions to address global challenges to empower researchers, policymakers and communities to tackle environmental and societal issues effectively, which would lead to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The challenge: Urban flooding 

Flooding is one of the most significant natural hazards in South Africa, impacting both rural and urban communities. Between 1981 and 2023, floods have caused devastating damage to livelihoods, infrastructure and the economy of South Africa. However, many urban flash floods remain underreported or poorly documented, making it difficult to analyse patterns or predict future events effectively.

The flood mapping challenge 

To address this gap, a machine-learning challenge aimed at identifying urban flood events across South Africa, using historical CHIRPS daily precipitation data and composite Earth observation imagery, was developed. Participants will be required to develop AI models capable of locating the exact dates of floods.

This project’s ultimate goal is to create a comprehensive database of past urban flooding incidents across South Africa. This database will enable decision-makers with insights to enhance disaster preparedness, develop early warning systems and improve urban planning.

The results of this challenge will be published in the South African Risk and Vulnerability Atlas (SARVA).

Join the challenge here: Inundata Mapping Floods in South Africa. The competition closes on 16 February 2025.

Prizes  

1st prize: USD5 000

2nd prize: USD3 000

3rd prize: USD2 000

If your solution places 1st, 2nd or 3rd on the final leaderboard, you will be required to submit your winning solution code for verification, and you thereby agree to share your solution under a CC-BY SA 4.0 license.

There are 10 000 Zindi points available. You can read more about Zindi points here.