Introduction

Flooding, the occurrence when water overflows or soaks land that is normally dry. In terms of
natural disasters on a global scale, Water-Related Disasters (WRD) account for an overwhelming 90%.
Floods accounted for about 54 % of all WRDs making it the most frequent. This pervasive nature renders
flooding a near universal threat, evident in a comprehensive examination of 189 countries where a
substantial portion of their populations grapple with its risks. According to the World Bank’s Global
Subnational Atlas of Poverty and Global Monitoring Database, a staggering 1.47 billion individuals
worldwide find themselves directly exposed to the peril of intense flooding events. Of the deaths caused
by all WRDs from 2001 to 2018, 93,470 were due to floods. During the same period, floods alone were
responsible for economic losses of nearly USD 500 billion globally.
Notably, Asia appears to be the hardest-hit continent, with 41% of all flood disaster events. It
was also the most vulnerable with 71% of the total fatalities and 63% of the overall economic damages
recorded since 2001. In 2018 alone, 50 flood disasters were reported in Asia, causing nearly 2,000
casualties and losses of USD 16 billion.
Furthermore, the specter of danger looms disproportionately over South and East Asia, where a
substantial majority, approximately 1.36 billion people, confront the heightened vulnerability associated
with flooding.
Situated in Southeast Asia, the Philippines grapples with a significant and recurring natural
challenge — flooding. The country experiences devastating floods at least once every four years on
average, most prone during the monsoon season and intensified by the effects of typhoons. With an
annual average occurrence of 23.13% from 1980-2020 based on World Bank’s Climate Change
Knowledge Portal statistics. Nestled within the formidable typhoon belt, the Philippines an archipelagic
nation contends with the impact of approximately 20 typhoons annually, a noteworthy five of which wield
destructive forces capable of unleashing substantial precipitation. This meteorological reality translates
into a heightened susceptibility to flooding events.
Cities in the country, specifically Manila, experience flooding for numerous reasons:
precipitation, population, urbanization, geographical location, and problems in waterways, drainage, and
flood control systems, as stated by Alcazaren, P. (2023). Nevertheless, even provinces are not safe from
this disaster, as the overflowing of nearby bodies of water can also cause flooding, which is very fatal.
In the province of Mindoro, particularly in Naujan, flooding is so common due to the overflowing
Mag-asawang Tubig River, one of the largest rivers in the province, after a heavy rain, according to the
report of Datu, D. (2023). The flood can reach a meter high and can affect several
The lack of knowledge about rising water levels is one of the reasons why flooding is so
dangerous. On the ground that its hazardous nature is significantly highlighted if the affected are
uninformed.
This ignorance hinders individuals and communities from adequately preparing for potential
floods. Without proper preparation, people may not have evacuation plans, emergency supplies, or
strategies to protect themselves and their property. This lack of information leads to delayed responses, as
individuals may fail to recognize the signs of an impending flood or the urgency of evacuating vulnerable
areas.
The increased vulnerability resulting from this lack of awareness places individuals at a
heightened risk of threats to human safety, especially in situations where rapid rises in water levels can
catch the affected off guard. The risk of drowning also becomes more pronounced, and property damage
is likely to be more extensive, as protective measures may not be taken in the absence of accurate
information.
 Moreover, the effectiveness of emergency response efforts is compromised when faced with
insufficient awareness, impacting timely and coordinated actions.
Overall, the lack of knowledge about rising water levels in flood-prone areas not only exposes
individuals to immediate dangers but also hinders the implementation of preventive measures and
infrastructure improvements, contributing to the potential loss of life in severe cases.
Flooding itself is already perilous, as it can harm human beings, destroy properties, and cause
more fatalities than any other weather-related hazard. The reason for that is the combination of rapid
onset, swift water currents, limited visibility, submersion risks, structural damage, inaccessibility of
emergency services, waterborne diseases, high population density, geographical vulnerability, and the
influence of climate change.

Standing floodwaters also poses multifaceted risks, encompassing the potential for infectious
diseases, chemical hazards, injuries, and widespread inconvenience. In flood-prone areas, stagnant water
becomes a breeding ground for waterborne diseases such as cholera and viral and bacterial infections,
with leptospirosis being a notable concern linked to exposure. Moreover, floodwaters can carry a mix of
pollutants, including chemicals from industrial and agricultural sources, elevating the risk of harmful
substance exposure. In addition, drowning and injuries are substantial threats during floods, as water may
conceal debris, structural damage, and hazards, contributing to accidents and injuries. Beyond the
immediate health concerns, the inconvenience caused by flooding is considerable, resulting in property
damage, displacement, and disruptions to essential services.

On the other hand, knowing about the rising water level can bring numerous advantages. Armed
with such knowledge, individuals and communities can initiate timely evacuation plans, securing their
homes and belongings before the flood event unfolds. This early awareness minimizes potential damage
to property, allowing for the implementation of preventive measures.

Moreover, this facilitates prompt responses from emergency services and relevant agencies,
hastening the recovery process. Simultaneously, it empowers individuals to make informed decisions,
nurturing a sense of resilience and community cohesion. Timely and accurate flood warnings also play a
pivotal role in not only mitigating the physical but also the psychological impacts of flooding. Individuals
who reported receiving no warning before flooding were significantly more likely to experience
symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, though not anxiety, compared to those who
were adequately warned.

In light of the outlined considerations, the researcher has decided to develop a Flood Level Alert
Device—an Arduino-Based IoT System designed to detect and promptly notify changes in water levels.
This system is envisioned to serve as a valuable tool for monitoring water levels with a focus on
delivering accuracy, usefulness, and timely alerts.

By harnessing the capabilities of Arduino technology, the device is poised to offer a robust and
interconnected solution that not only enhances the precision of water level monitoring but also empowers
residents with timely information.

The primary goal of this initiative is to elevate awareness within communities, fostering a prompt
and well-informed response to potential flood threats. Through the integration of the following
components, including multiple water level sensors, two buzzers for audible alerts, LED indicators, and a
GSM SIM800L module for communication, the Flood Level Alert Device is strategically designed to
contribute to the safety and resilience of residents facing the challenges of fluctuating water levels.
 The first component is a water level sensor, which is a device that measures the liquid level in a
fixed container to see if it is too high or too low. It can detect water because the sensor has ten exposed
copper traces, five of which are power traces, and the remaining five are sense traces. These traces are
interlaced so that there is one sense trace between every two power traces, and when immersed in water,
they are bridges, which in normal times are not connected.

The three water level sensors that the system will contain can monitor the rise of water levels, as
there is a gap between each sensor. These are possible because the gap between each water level sensor
serves as a reference point or threshold for detecting changes in water levels. This gap essentially acts as a
trigger or boundary that, when breached by rising water, allows the system to recognize and respond to
different levels of water height. The presence of multiple sensors with gaps between them also enables the
system to identify and categorize the water level into different stages or levels; level 1, level 2, and level
3.

In an experiment conducted by Chetpattananondh, K. et al. (2014) where a capacitive sensor was

tested when it comes to its self-calibration in measuring water levels, the results not only affirmed the
sensor's high linear sensitivity, good repeatability, low-cost, low energy requirements, and simple
installation but also demonstrated its ability to reliably detect water levels irrespective of water type.

Extending these insights, a water level sensor constitutes a promising system for efficiently
measuring the rise in water levels. The density of its installation and the voluminous information
generated contribute significantly to precise evaluation and analysis, showcasing potential for mitigating
the impact of flood disasters.

Nevertheless, to validate the sensor's real-world capability, careful consideration of numerous

critical factors is imperative. Factors encompass evaluating performance across diverse environmental
conditions, maintaining ongoing calibration for accuracy, assessing long-term durability, understanding
maintenance requirements, ensuring seamless integration with existing systems, determining response
time and accuracy under dynamic conditions, addressing power consumption concerns, and adhering to
regulatory standards.

Contrary to this, a statement made by Sensors, R. (2023) contends that water level sensors stand
as indispensable tools in flood monitoring and warning systems. These sensors, as emphasized, provide
accurate and timely information about rising water levels, playing a pivotal role in mitigating the impacts
of floods.

On top of that, water level sensors offer numerous benefits, including early flood warnings
through real-time data, ensuring precise measurements for accurate flood predictions and efficient
resource allocation. These sensors enable remote monitoring, enhancing flood monitoring system
efficiency, and can be integrated with communication systems for quick alerts to authorities and residents,
aiding in life-saving measures during flood emergencies. The collected data supports long-term flood
pattern analysis, informing urban planning, flood risk assessment, and the development of effective flood
control strategies.