Inspiration

What it does

How we built it

Challenges we ran into

Accomplishments that we're proud of

What we learned

What's next for AquaAlert

AquaAlert – Project Story

Every year, floods affect millions of people across Bangladesh. Although official agencies issue flood forecasts and warnings, many families still struggle to understand what the warnings mean, where to go, or how to ask for help when internet connectivity becomes unreliable. Valuable time is often lost due to confusion, lack of information, and poor communication.

AquaAlert was created to bridge this critical "last-mile" gap between official flood forecasts and community action. Instead of replacing existing flood forecasting systems, AquaAlert enhances them by transforming technical warnings into simple, personalized guidance that helps people make faster and safer decisions.

When a flood risk is detected, AquaAlert alerts nearby users before floodwaters arrive and provides clear instructions on what to do next. The app recommends nearby safe shelters using locally stored data, allowing users to access shelter information even with limited or no internet connection. In emergencies, users can quickly send their location and rescue requests using SMS through the mobile network, ensuring they can seek help even when data services are unavailable.

AquaAlert also empowers communities to become part of the emergency response. Citizens can report flooded roads, damaged bridges, stranded families, or other hazards. These reports are organized and prioritized with AI assistance so volunteers and emergency responders can focus first on the most urgent situations. A volunteer dashboard provides a real-time overview of affected areas, helping rescue teams coordinate their efforts more effectively.

Our vision is simple: Predict, Prepare, Protect, Respond, and Recover. AquaAlert is not just another flood warning app—it is a citizen-centered emergency response platform designed to make flood information understandable, actionable, and accessible for everyone in Bangladesh. By combining official alerts, offline preparedness tools, community participation, and AI-assisted prioritization, AquaAlert aims to help save lives when every minute matters.