茜茜公主
Climate Gambit: Chinese team develops ‘super brain’ to guide flood precautions using weather, hydraulic and terrain data_我的网站
A |
Extreme weather is increasingly a global challenge, and the key to addressing climate risks lies in earlier prediction, more precise action and smarter preparedness, with emerging technologies playing a vital role. The Global Times launches the "Climate Gambit" series, exploring how research teams are leveraging cutting-edge technologies, including artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and smart observation systems, to anticipate weather changes, enhance disaster early-warning and strengthen resilience against climate risks.
Inside a state key laboratory at Xi'an University of Technology, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, there is a miniature but complete "water world" which simulated water channels, inland lakes and main rivers to recreate real flood scenarios and test their newly developed GPU Accelerated Surface Water Flow and Transport Model (GAST).
Known as a "super brain" for flood control, GAST can complete flood simulations involving more than 3 million computational units within 30 seconds, helping transform flood management from a reaction to emergency into active precautions since "flooding impacts can be predicted even before rainfall arrives."
At a time when extreme rainfall and summer flooding have become increasingly frequent, questions such as when the flooding will arrive, which roads may be submerged and when residents should evacuate have become increasingly important.
In an exclusive interview with the Global Times, Hou Jingming, a professor at Xi'an University of Technology and the leader of the research team, explained how the GAST model seeks to answer these questions by accurately predicting flood development and identifying vulnerable areas before disasters occur, and how the model helps authorities take preventive measures to reduce casualties and economic losses.
AI empowering 'flood drill'
The water tank system in the lab was designed to create a controllable, repeatable and observable environment to simulate complex hydrological processes, including river flooding, urban water level changes, lake regulation, drainage pump operations and coordinated flood-control measures.
By adjusting variations such as upstream water inflow, rainfall intensity, downstream water levels and drainage conditions, scientists can recreate different flood scenarios. Meanwhile, water levels, flow speeds and other data are collected in real time and displayed on a digital twin platform.
"If a rainstorm and corresponding floods are an exam, GAST is like a 'drill,'" Hou said. "It can simulate how floods develop, where water will flow, which areas may be inundated and when river levels may rise, ensuring authorities are well but not overly prepared."
To answer the public's concern about "whether my neighborhood will be flooded when heavy rain arrives," the team developed new algorithms for urban surface water flow, including improvements in terrain slope and friction calculations.
These breakthroughs have improved simulation accuracy in complex urban environments. Compared with extensive monitoring data, GAST can keep simulation errors of key hydrodynamic factors within 15 percent. This means the model can provide not only general flood trends, but also quantitative information such as water depth, flow speed and inundation areas.
Combined with AI technologies, it can identify complex relationships between rainfall, water conditions, flood depth, flow velocity and affected areas, cutting simulations from hours in traditional methods to minutes or even seconds.
The faster calculation capability means that once meteorological authorities update forecasts, the model can quickly estimate flood risks in different parts of a city.
"The earlier rainfall warnings are issued, the earlier we can identify potential flooding hotspots and high-risk areas," Hou said. "This saves valuable time for evacuation, traffic management and emergency deployment."
For smarter disaster response
Building an accurate flood prediction model also requires integrating large amounts of urban data other than weather forecasts, including urban terrain, drainage networks and infrastructure information.
For example, a model developed for Xi'an incorporates geographic data and drainage system information collected from relevant authorities and field surveys. After receiving rainfall forecasts, the system can quickly calculate possible flooding scenarios, showing when and where waterlogging may occur and highlighting vulnerable roads and areas through visual maps.
To demonstrate how the super brain works in case of possible flooding, the laboratory has set a virtual reality area where visitors can experience a simulated urban flooding evacuation in the Xiaozhai area of Xi'an. Wearing VR headsets, participants can see water levels gradually rising and follow emergency instructions to move toward higher ground.
The entire technological package has already been applied in real-world flood prevention.
During Typhoon Muifa in 2022, Haishu district in Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang Province, recorded a regional rainfall of 367 millimeters. Using GAST as its core technology, the local flood forecasting platform integrated weather forecasts, AI algorithms and real-time monitoring data to provide rolling three-hour flood risk predictions.
Post-event assessments showed that predicted risks at most locations matched actual flooding conditions. The average relative error between predicted and observed maximum water depths was 13 percent.
The GAST model was also integrated into a smart rain and flood management platform in Qinhan new city area in Xianyang of Shaanxi, and during a rainstorm warning in July 2022, the platform provided continuous monitoring and forecasts. Based on the results, local authorities shifted from routine inspections to targeted monitoring of flood-prone areas and optimized emergency drainage operations.
The model is also being applied to mountain torrent prevention, as it can simulate rapidly changing flows in complex terrain and, combined with machine learning, complete forecasts within seconds. For reservoirs and rivers, it supports sudden and gradual dam-break simulations.
In June 2026, the model was presented at a national symposium on flood risk mapping achievements. The technology has since been applied by water resources, emergency management and urban development authorities, expanding from Shaanxi to multiple provinces and regions across China.
Looking ahead, the research team is developing a framework that further keeps up with the pace focusing on AI technologies. "Currently, the system operates based on weather forecast, therefore, AI will increase efficiency by using historical cases and real-time monitoring data to correct errors and update forecasts dynamically," Hou said.
。 正在看这篇文章的蚁粉，是否正在低头盯着手机呢？如果是，那最好注意一下啦：长期低头滑手机，小心“科技颈”找上你！所谓的“科技颈”，指的是经常以不良姿势使用智能手机或电脑，而导致颈部或肩膀出现长期疼痛、酸痛或紧绷。不少人在使用手机和电脑时，往往会不自觉低头或前倾，并长时间维持这一姿势。久而久之，颈部因长期处于弯曲位置，而产生肌肉紧绷和长期疼痛等状况。如果置之不理，情况甚至可能进一步恶化，出现神经压迫相关症状，疼痛可能扩散至上臂、前臂和手部，并导致这些部位出现麻痹感。就像一颗保龄球压迫颈椎美国知名医疗机构妙佑医疗国际（Mayo Clinic）指出，成年人的头部平均重量为10磅至12磅。换句话说，人的头就像是一颗保龄球，只要一低头，就会加重颈部的负担。
B | .如果以15度角度低头看手机或平板，就会给颈部带来12公斤的负担，若进一步低头至60度，就会造成27公斤的负担。如果长时间维持同一姿势，对颈椎所造成的压迫更会加剧。长时间维持同一姿势，会对颈椎造成压迫而罹患“科技颈”。（互联网）新加坡科技颈患者呈年轻化趋势如今随着电子产品愈来愈普及，“科技颈”仿佛已成了另一种文明病，且患者有越来越年轻化的现象。在新加坡，情况尤其不容小觑。市场数据公司data.ai的数据显示，新加坡人去年每天平均花4.51小时使用手机，较2022年的4.43小时长，而2021年和2022年的数据则分别为4.3小时和4.17小时，显示国人使用手机的频率呈现逐年增加的趋势。
C | 《海峡时报》报道，根据一些本地医生的观察，患上“科技颈”的新加坡人有愈来愈年轻化的迹象。全嘉诊所 （东海岸）医药总监官世民医生指出，自2020年冠病疫情爆发后，“科技颈”病患的年龄层已从过去的40多岁下滑至20多岁。
D | 百汇东岸医院的骨科医生拉玛特（Razmi Rahmat ）也忆述，他在2002年刚开始入行担任骨科医生时，颈部疼痛相关疾病好发于50多岁。如今，他的病患却越来越年轻，看诊的病患中不乏青少年和二十出头的年轻人，他们都因长期使用笔记本电脑和智能手机而出现相关病症。据分析，年轻人热衷于社交媒体，也有不少人热爱手游，使用手机的频率往往更高，进而导致他们成为“科技颈”的高风险群。示意图：长期低头使用手机可能导致“科技颈”。
E | （联合早报）如何治疗和预防？目前，“科技颈”的治疗方式可分为手术和非手术选项。非手术选项包括注射富血小板血浆（PRP），这种疗法是从病患的血液中提取血浆，接着将血浆注入颈部、肩膀和背部等患处，以此减少发炎状况和帮助复原。有的医生也会在患处注射止痛剂及肌肉松弛。此外，病患也可依自身状况选择物理治疗或中医疗法。理论上，直接戒掉使用手机电脑是避免“科技颈”最有效的方法，但在电子产品越来越普及的当今社会，这种要求显然并不实际。因此，如果真的不得不经常使用手机电脑，不妨参考以下贴士，避免“科技颈”找上自己：避免在低头或前倾的情况下使用电子设备，避免过度弯曲颈部；让电子设备的屏幕与眼睛的高度平齐，频繁使用电脑者，建议可购买垫高电脑荧幕的架子，让荧幕处于“正确的位置”；使用电子设备时适当放松休息，建议每使用一小时后休息至少10分钟；休息期间，可以简单做些颈部和背部的拉伸运动，避免肌肉紧绷；保持规律运动，每周进行三到四次至少20分钟的运动，有助于保持颈部和背部健康和强壮。
Current article:http://www.zhanggengsenchaiweikeng.cfd/vaa2w/2hbpmh.html
Published on:20:26:20