UAV-Based Radar Flow Measurement System Supports Flood Emergency Monitoring in Wuzhou, China

In July 2026, Guangxi Province, China, experienced continuous heavy rainfall, resulting in severe flooding conditions across multiple regions. As upstream floodwaters rapidly converged toward Wuzhou, the Xijiang River basin faced significant flood control pressure.

Located at a critical section of the Pearl River system, Wuzhou plays an important role in regional flood management, receiving runoff from hundreds of rivers across Guangxi. During this extreme flood event, traditional flow measurement methods faced significant challenges due to high water levels, strong currents, floating debris, and hazardous field conditions.

To support emergency hydrological monitoring, TBNET deployed its UAV-based radar flow measurement system to assist the Wuzhou Hydrological Center, providing safe, efficient, and accurate flow data collection for flood response and decision-making.

On July 8, 2026, the water level at Wuzhou Hydrological Station reached 21.71 meters, exceeding the warning level by more than 3 meters. During the flood peak, the river experienced:

• Rapid currents and large flow velocities
• Wide river sections with complex hydrological conditions
• Increased floating debris on the water surface
• High sediment concentration affecting conventional measurement methods

Traditional boat-based measurements and manual cross-section surveys involved significant safety risks and were difficult to perform under such extreme conditions. Meanwhile, conventional acoustic measurement equipment could experience reduced performance in highly turbid and sediment-rich water environments.

A safer and more flexible measurement solution was urgently needed to obtain reliable discharge data during the flood event.

Responding quickly to the emergency monitoring request, TBNET deployed its independently developed UAV Radar Flow Measurement System to support field operations.

Designed for challenging hydrological environments, the system integrates:

• UAV platform for rapid deployment
• Non-contact radar flow measurement technology
• Real-time data transmission capabilities
• Digital flow calculation based on surface velocity and river cross-section parameters

Unlike traditional contact measurement approaches, the UAV-based system does not require personnel or equipment to enter dangerous water areas. It can operate efficiently during floods, ensuring both operator safety and measurement reliability.

After arriving at the monitoring site, the TBNET technical team worked closely with local hydrological professionals to evaluate river conditions and develop an optimized measurement plan.

During field operations:

The UAV system was assembled, calibrated, and prepared for flight within approximately 15 minutes after arriving at the measurement section. The rapid deployment capability significantly reduced preparation time compared with traditional measurement methods.

The onboard radar sensor continuously collected surface velocity information during flight. Combined with river section parameters, the system calculated real-time discharge values.

The radar-based measurement technology remained stable under high sediment concentration conditions, providing reliable data support for flood monitoring.

Measurement results were transmitted immediately through mobile terminals to the hydrological command center, supporting:

• Flood situation assessment
• Water level and discharge analysis
• Emergency decision-making

During the flood peak and subsequent recession period, TBNET continued supporting the Wuzhou Hydrological Center with ongoing flow monitoring.

The UAV radar flow measurement system provided:

• Safer operation by eliminating the need for personnel to work directly on the water
• Faster emergency deployment for critical flood monitoring scenarios
• Reliable measurement performance in complex river environments
• Continuous data support throughout the flood process

By combining UAV mobility, radar sensing technology, and digital hydrological analysis, the solution helped improve the efficiency and safety of emergency hydrological monitoring.

Extreme weather events are increasing the demand for safer and more efficient hydrological monitoring technologies.

TBNET continues to develop intelligent surveying and monitoring solutions for rivers, reservoirs, and emergency response applications. Through UAV-based measurement platforms, radar sensing technologies, and digital data solutions, TBNET helps hydrological organizations improve monitoring capabilities and build more resilient water management systems.

TBNET — Empowering smarter hydrological monitoring with innovative measurement technologies.