Introduction

Floods are one of the most devastating natural disasters, causing immense damage to life and property worldwide. Early detection and timely warnings play a crucial role in reducing risks and saving lives. This project, Flood Detection and Warning System using LoRa, leverages IoT technology, Arduino Nano, and LoRa communication to create a low-power, long-range, and reliable flood monitoring solution.

Objectives

1. Detect rising water levels in flood-prone areas.
2. Transmit real-time alerts to a remote monitoring station using LoRa.
3. Provide a cost-effective, scalable, and energy-efficient flood warning system.

System Overview

The system consists of:

Arduino Nano – Acts as the central microcontroller, reading sensor signals and controlling the LoRa module.

Water Level Sensor – detects water level rise and sends signals to the Arduino.

LoRa1280F27-TCXO Module (U1) – Used for long-range wireless communication.

Connectors/Headers (P1, JP1, etc.) – Allow interfacing with external sensors (like water level sensor) and other components.

Power Supply Lines (+5V, GND) – Supply regulated power to Arduino and LoRa module.

Arduino Nano Section

Pins D10, D11, D12, D13 are connected to the LoRa module SPI interface:

D10 → NSS (Chip Select)

D11 → MOSI

D12 → MISO

D13 → SCK

Reset & Ground lines are provided for system stability.

Other pins (D2–D9, A0–A7) are available via headers (JP1, P1) to connect sensors or alert devices (like buzzers, LEDs).

LoRa Module Section (U1)

Power Supply:

VCC (Pin 2) → +5V supply

GND (Pins 10 & 18) → Ground

SPI Communication with Arduino Nano:

NSS (Pin 9) ↔ Arduino D10

MOSI (Pin 11) ↔ Arduino D11

MISO (Pin 12) ↔ Arduino D12

SCK (Pin 13) ↔ Arduino D13

Additional Control Pins:

RESET, BUSY, DIO0–DIO3 are available for advanced communication and interrupts.

RXEN/TXEN used to switch LoRa module modes (receive/transmit).

Antenna Connection:

SMA connector (S1) provides RF signal to the antenna for wireless communication.

Working Principle

A flood sensor (not explicitly shown in this schematic, but can be connected via JP1 or P1) measures water level.

The Arduino Nano reads this data.

If the water level crosses a set threshold, Arduino sends a warning signal via LoRa module (U1).

The signal is transmitted wirelessly (through SMA antenna) to a receiver station with another LoRa module.

Receiver processes the data and triggers alerts (buzzer, SMS, display, etc.).

Manufacturing Files

PCB Files

3D Files

Applications

1. Flood-prone rural areas and riverbanks.
2. Dam or reservoir water monitoring.
3. Urban stormwater drainage systems.
4. Remote warning system for villages with no GSM network.

Advantages

1. Long communication range without the need for internet or GSM.
2. Low power consumption for continuous operation.
3. Cost-effective and scalable for multiple monitoring stations.
4. Early warning reduces casualties and property damage.

Future Enhancements

1. Integration with IoT cloud platforms for live dashboards.
2. SMS/WhatsApp/email alert system using a GSM backup module.
3. Solar-powered nodes for remote and off-grid areas.
4. Machine learning models to predict flood risks using historical data.

Conclusion

The Flood Detection and Warning System using LoRa provides a practical, efficient, and affordable solution for early flood detection. By combining Arduino Nano, LoRa communication, and simple water level sensors, this project demonstrates how technology can be harnessed to prevent disasters and save lives.