Inferring the past: a combined CNN-LSTM deep learning framework to fuse satellites for historical inundation mapping
This work addresses flood risk management and planning by providing more accurate historical inundation data, though it is incremental as it builds on existing deep learning methods for satellite fusion.
The paper tackled the problem of mapping historical floods by developing a combined CNN-LSTM deep learning framework to fuse Sentinel-1 and MODIS satellite data, resulting in outperforming CNN-only, thresholding, and physical models in consistency and peak inundation prediction over 20 years in Bangladesh.
Mapping floods using satellite data is crucial for managing and mitigating flood risks. Satellite imagery enables rapid and accurate analysis of large areas, providing critical information for emergency response and disaster management. Historical flood data derived from satellite imagery can inform long-term planning, risk management strategies, and insurance-related decisions. The Sentinel-1 satellite is effective for flood detection, but for longer time series, other satellites such as MODIS can be used in combination with deep learning models to accurately identify and map past flood events. We here develop a combined CNN--LSTM deep learning framework to fuse Sentinel-1 derived fractional flooded area with MODIS data in order to infer historical floods over Bangladesh. The results show how our framework outperforms a CNN-only approach and takes advantage of not only space, but also time in order to predict the fractional inundated area. The model is applied to historical MODIS data to infer the past 20 years of inundation extents over Bangladesh and compared to a thresholding algorithm and a physical model. Our fusion model outperforms both models in consistency and capacity to predict peak inundation extents.