HANDHELD HOPE: AI tech to strengthen PH’s flood defenses

Diane Joy Galos

Almost 75 percent of the country’s 116.8 million people reside in areas at risk of natural hazards which makes the Philippines highly susceptible to typhoons, storm surges, and heavy rainfall.

Recent storms that triggered severe flooding have shown how these threats continue to affect lives and disrupt economic activity.

As extreme weather becomes more frequent and unpredictable, a palm-sized AI device gives a proactive solution for early warnings and rapid recovery.

The FloodFinder, a palm-sized artificial intelligence-powered flood detection system, was unveiled by Singapore-based company TackEVO during the “What’s Next: A PHILIPPiNEXT” International Conference and Exposition on Innovations in Parañaque City on July 14.

The event was organized by the Department of Science and Technology–Technology Application and Promotion Institute in partnership with the Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology.

How it works

Speaking to BusinessMirror, TackEVO Chief Executive Officer Justin Zhang said FloodFinder is the first palm-sized flood monitoring device that runs on solar power and works without external electricity or internet access.

The device is equipped with built-in sensors that track rising water levels and send the information to the cloud, where it is converted into real-time, location-based alerts for residents and local officials.

“If there is flood, people hear that flooding is happening, nobody goes [to the flooded area] for the next one to two days. But today, it’s all flash floods. It happens in hours and it disappears in hours,” Zhang said.

“People wait until they see something on TikTok before reacting,” he added. “This device gives communities a reliable, proactive system to respond earlier.”

Zhang said that a barangay could experience flooding in the morning and resume operations by the afternoon with faster alerts.

This speed, he explained, reduces downtime and helps businesses recover sooner.

Affordable and scalable solution

Unlike traditional flood monitoring systems that cost millions of pesos and require complex infrastructure, FloodFinder could be deployed at a fraction of the price.

“It’s about one-tenth the price of conventional systems,” Zhang said. “If you could only afford one sensor before, now you can install 10 or even a hundred.”

He said local governments could gradually expand coverage based on the risk profile of each barangay or town.

There was no standard number of units per area, but some town councils typically installed 10 to 20 sensors to cover key points.

“The beauty of this system is that it’s scalable and accessible, even to low-budget municipalities,” Zhang said. “We’re ready to sit down with communities, understand their landscape, and tailor a cost-effective solution that fits.”

Flood risks demand urgent innovation

According to the Global Water Monitor, more than 8,700 people died and around 40 million were displaced by water-related disasters worldwide in 2024, with economic losses surpassing $550 billion.

In the Philippines, major typhoons such as Ondoy in 2009, Yolanda in 2013, and Ulysses in 2020 left thousands dead and caused massive infrastructure damage.

Typhoon Kristine (Trami) in 2024 caused more than P11 billion in damages and disrupted food supply chains and road access across provinces.

Zhang said climate-related vulnerability was no longer determined solely by altitude, as urban infrastructure remained unprepared for sudden, intense rainfall.

He noted that countries such as Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, and even cities like Las Vegas were adopting new technologies to address severe weather conditions.

“Only with all this information, it can make our community and the city smarter because data is what drives the new smarter cities and the AIs,” Zhang said. “We are helping to provide the critical data to power your smarter AI cities.”

He said the strong interest reflects its importance for local communities and added that the Department of Science and Technology saw potential in the innovation despite its newness in the local market.