Kochi: In a major development, Kochi Municipal Corporation collaborated with the European Union (EU) to install sensors across various spots in the city to issue warnings about impending flood and possible waterlogging.

The floodwater sensors, developed by the University of Messina for Messina city in Italy, have been installed at the KSRTC bus stand, Panampilly Nagar, Journalist Colony, Kala Bhavan Road, and Vivekananda Road. The sensors are installed as part of the flood management programme of the International Urban and Regional Corporation of the European Union (IURC) --funded by the EU. 

Kochi had been facing waterlogging and flashfloods for the past several years. As per the communication issued by the Corporation, Kochi and Messina are the technical partners of the programme.

A team of experts led by Dr. Panagiotis Karamanos, head of the International Urban and Regional Corporation of the European Union and Dr. Antonino Galletta, head of Messina University's computer science department, installed the sensors. Later, Dr. Galletta conducted a session at the Kochi Corporation Council Hall on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the sensors are installed in five places on an experimental basis. 

The sensors will issue an alert if the water level breaches dangerous levels. The University will monitor the development and swiftly deliver the information to the Corporation.