Prototype of a Micro Monitoring Station With Remote Torrential Flood Alerts

The Internet of Things (IoT) enables the gathering and exchange of data between a multitude of electronic devices. Collected data then can be centrally stored and analyzed, and furthermore, the obtained results can be used for processes automation and timely decision making. These basic principles of IoT can also be applied upon an early warning system for torrential floods, with the aim of protecting people, livestock and property. The basic building block of this system is an automated micro monitoring station (AMMS) based on an Arduino microcontroller with sensors for reading of targeted physical quantities and with a power block allowing autonomous functioning. The AMMS prototype presented in this paper possesses compact dimensions, simple enough and modular architecture, reasonable production price, and thus may prove to be an effective tool for monitoring of torrential streams, which usually occur in remote and inaccessible mountainous areas where standard monitoring stations of the official Hydro-meteorological Institute cannot be set up due to technical or economic reasons.