• Myanmar
  • Yangon
• Pakistan
  • Sukkur

Since the first days of August, very heavy monsoon rains have strongly affected all regions in Pakistan creating floods where refugees were counted in the millions.

Given the amplitude of the disaster, the International Charter "Space and major Disaster" was activated on August 1^st, 2010. Canadian satellites RADARSAT-1 and RADARSAT-2 were immediately tasked to contribute. Numerous images were provided to the Charter and these two of these images are offered to broaden understanding of the extent of the disaster.

These images are centered on the region of Sukkur, the province of Sindh in the centre of Pakistan. The area located upstream from Sukkur is strongly affected by floods due to the presence of an important irrigation dam on the Indus River. The RADARSAT-1 reference image was acquired on May 27, 2001 while the RADARSAT-2 crisis image was acquired on August 21, 2010. By overlying the two images, we extracted the flooded areas that are presented on the coloured map-image. On this map-image, the original bed of the Indus River is in dark blue while the flooded zones are in light blue colour.

Other products related to this event are available on the following web sites:

• International Charter Space and Major Disasters (dated August 2, 2010)
• UNOSAT

Advanced capabilities of the proven Canadian RADARSAT-1 satellite and its next generation RADARSAT-2 were called upon in this crisis situation. The Canadian Space Agency produced images from its RADARSAT-1 data, while RADARSAT-2 data and image processing was gratefully provided by MDA/GSI in this emergency context to support the International Charter "Space and Major Disasters" operations. The Canadian Centre for Remote Sensing used this satellite data to map the limits of the flood extent. SERTIT, a French company is working for the International Charter to develop a new modeling tool, which builds upon a digital elevation model with the enhanced detailed data provided by Canada's RADARSAT-2. Hence, in collaboration with its international partners, Canada is supporting other Nations and their front-line responders by contributing substantial improvements in imaging natural disasters, which is helping improve the management and evaluation of the impact of these disasters on human life and property.

For more information, please see the Charter site: Cyclone in Myanmar www.disasterscharter.org