KIRa-Berg

• Real-time analyses

• What-if simulations

• Flood forecasts

• Short-term and long-term planning of protective measures

New weather radar data and an AI model are intended to increase lead times for flood events for specialized authorities, control centers, fire brigade command centers, crisis teams, and the public. The goal of the "KIRa-Berg" project is to develop an integrated flood management system that supports early detection of flood risks and promotes the planning and implementation of effective protective measures. For this purpose, two X-band radar devices will be installed to complement and refine the weather data from the German Weather Service. An AI model will use these radar data and other already available precipitation and water data to perform second-by-second simulations of flood scenarios and evaluate the effectiveness of protective measures.

The project idea was developed in the cooperation Cooperation "Flood Prevention at Agger and Wupper" (ÜVAW). The cooperation was established in January 2023 as an association of the districts  Ennepe-Ruhr-Kreis, Oberbergischer Kreis, Rhein-Sieg-Kreis and Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis, the cities Leverkusen, Remscheid, Solingen and Wuppertal with the water associations Aggerverband and Wupperverband founded.

The project "KIRa-Berg" takes place within the framework of REGIONALE 2025 Bergisches RheinLand under the funding call "The Best of Both Worlds – Climate Adaptation at Local and Regional Levels" and contributes to the early detection of flood hazards and the coordinated implementation of effective measures both during acute events and within the scope of long-term planning processes.

The project "KIRa-Berg" is a joint initiative of the following project partners:

• Oberbergischer Kreis, representing the ÜVAW cooperation

• University of Bonn

• TH Köln

The Oberbergischer Kreis is responsible for project coordination and procurement of radar devices as well as the AI model.

The Radar Polarimetry working group at the University of Bonn will process the innovative X-band radar data to make them usable for integration into the DWD data systems and the AI model.

TH Köln, with the Institute for Rescue Engineering and Hazard Control (IRG), will work on communication and information management and will support the development of the planned digital information platform to ensure real-time information flow during emergencies for both the public and disaster management.

The implementation period extends from September 1, 2026, to February 28, 2029. Currently, the procurement of weather radar devices and the AI model is being organized. The radar devices are expected to be installed and operational by the middle of next year. The AI model is anticipated to enable initial simulations by the end of next year and will be continuously fine-tuned throughout the project period until early 2029.

The project has a total budget of approximately 1.91 million euros. After a successful application process, a funding notice was issued from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) . The funding amounts to 80% and is provided by the European Union and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.