Bristol researchers part of national initiative to better identify UK flooding and drought hotspots

Bristol researchers part of national initiative to better identify UK flooding and drought hotspots - University of Bristol

a flooded river showing a fence submerged in water — Image shows a flooded River Chess (FDRI)

Predicting where future flooding and droughts will strike next in the UK is set to become easier with a pioneering initiative harnessing the latest technology and real-time data.

The Floods & Droughts Research Infrastructure (FDRI) project, announced today (31 August), will be the first UK-wide network focused on understanding the impact of extreme weather conditions across the country, pinpointing where incidents are likely to occur and planning to limit their impact.

Led by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) and backed by £40 million, researchers will be based at UKCEH offices throughout the UK, with further input from experts at the University of Bristol, Imperial College London, and British Geological Survey.

Dr Gemma Coxon, Associate Professor in Hydrology at Bristol’s Cabot Institute for the Environment, said: “The UK Floods and Droughts Research Infrastructure will transform our understanding of when and why floods and droughts occur. I am excited to be leading the capacity building programme delivering training, skills sharing, collaborative working and fostering the development of the next generation of hydrologists.”