In June 2025 Finnish company ICEYE provided the government of the state of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) critical satellite information for rapid response to large-scale flooding. Thanks to the technology of radar imaging with a synthesized aperture (SAR), ICEYE was able to quickly map the inundation zone even under dense cloud cover, a traditional problem during inclement weather.
Technologies, that save lives
Flood Solutions combines near-real-time observational data with deep analytics, which made it possible to accurately estimate:
the extent of the flood
depth of flooding
the most affected areas
This information was integrated into state databases and used for the prompt launch of the Volta por Cima program - a humanitarian initiative for financial support for victims. In just one week, more than 4 million reais (close 720 thousand. euro) without the need for prior registration - close 2000 families received social payments through digital cards.
A digital platform for transparency
Assistance was provided through the MUP (Unique Map of the Rio Grande Plan) - a state platform for transparent and operational management of resources. According to Daniela Calasanche, secretaries for planning and state management, satellite images made it possible to identify affected areas even in the absence of visual access, which became a decisive factor for accurate and fair distribution of aid.
International cooperation and sustainable development
This is the second such ICEYE operation in the region: in May 2024 The company also provided satellite data for rescue and recovery efforts after another flood last year. The current cooperation is the result of a technical mission of Rio Grande do Sul government officials to Finland, during which the implementation of the latest solutions to increase climate and infrastructure sustainability was discussed.
Value for the future
Thanks to ICEYE's ability to observe the earth in any weather, day and night, data was also transferred:
civil defense teams
non-governmental organizations
infrastructure planners
This allows not only to effectively respond to emergency situations, but also to build long-term flood risk management strategies.