News

Human-caused climate change will make strong tropical cyclones twice as frequent by mid-century, putting large parts of the world at risk, according to a new study published in Scientific Advances. The analysis also projects that maximum wind speeds associated with these cyclones could increase up to 24%.

A new report by the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) entitled “Sand and sustainability: 10 recommendations to avert a crisis” was launched on 26 April 2022 at the UNEP office in Geneva, Switzerland. Deltares researcher Helena van der Vegt is co-author of this report, contributing to the chapter on restoration of ecosystem services as well as other topics in the report.

The Water Forecast project was officially launched with the installation of a monitoring buoy and a weather station at the Wylerbergmeer lake on 21 April. The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), research institute Deltares and the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) are joining forces in this project to combine existing weather, water and cyanobacteria models to predict problems with cyanobacteria in a ‘water forecast’.

Singapore, 19th April 2022 – The Technology Centre for Offshore and Marine, Singapore (TCOMS), and Deltares, independent knowledge institute in the field of water and subsurface, headquartered in the Netherlands, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 19 April 2022 during the Singapore International Water Week. Both TCOMS and Deltares agree to share and exchange their knowledge and expertise, to further enhance capabilities in hydrodynamic modelling, for both deep-water and shallow-water scenarios, and contribute towards predictions of regional met-ocean conditions and coastal protection measures, especially adaptation solutions in response to climate change and rising sea levels.

Dutch and American scientists and engineers created, applied and shared a new Delft3D Flexible Mesh model that focuses on the simulation of extreme water levels in the San Francisco Bay-Delta system. The results have been published in the scientific journal 'Coastal Engineering' recently.

Since 2017, new flood probability standards have been in effect for the approximately 4000 kilometres of primary flood defences in the Netherlands. These standards are risk-based and they ensure that the flood risk is acceptably low throughout the Netherlands. In order to use the standards effectively, it is important to take these risks into account in all decisions relating to the reinforcement, management and maintenance of flood defences.

The timely publication of accurate discharge forecasts for rapidly responding catchments is critical in terms of optimal water management and flood warnings. Discharge forecasts are usually produced using hydrological models, which are enormously dependent on the underlying precipitation forecasts. A new study by Deltares, Wageningen University and Research Centre, and Delft University of Technology was published recently in Water Resources Research. It examines the added value and possible improvements of nowcasting of discharge forecasts in twelve Dutch catchments and polders.

Worldwide, sand reserves are dwindling, while more and more sand is needed to protect coasts against rising sea levels. As part of the National Science Agenda, a study will be launched focusing on the ecological optimisation of sand extraction in the North Sea. To maintain the health of the marine ecosystem and to ensure it can continue to serve as a source of food. Together with about 20 other research applications, this project, in which Deltares is one of the consortium partners, was recently selected as Research along Routes by Consortia (NWA ORC call 2020/2021).

Deltares and researchers from other institutions have drawn up a new time series for global carbon emissions from deforestation. The series is the missing link in terms of the improved understanding of the global carbon cycle and it implies that the natural uptake of CO2 by the land and oceans is more efficient than previously assumed.