Finding hidden water loss patterns in flood-prone areas

In places where floods are common and water data is hard to find, like Samar in the Philippines, figuring out how much water is lost through evaporation is a big challenge. Scientists decided to find out if some important climate factors have a direct effect on this water loss. They used a special test called Convergent Cross-Mapping (CCM) to check if factors like rainfall, air pressure, and temperatures from one of the NINO regions have any effect on evapotranspiration. The CCM test found that air pressure and the four NINO temperatures have a direct impact on how much water evaporates. The team used a special method, called the Non-Linear Autoregressive Exogenous (NARX) method, with these factors. They discovered that they can accurately predict how much water evaporates. This discovery is a game-changer in determining how much water evaporates over time. The NINO temperatures and air pressure play a crucial role. It opens up new possibilities for places where flooding is common and water data is limited. This method could help these regions better prepare for disasters. The study shows that focusing on these key factors can help improve predictions of water loss. This can lead to better water management and disaster preparedness in vulnerable areas. It's a reminder that even in data-scarce regions, smart use of available information can lead to significant advancements. Scientists are now thinking about how these findings can be applied to other areas facing similar challenges. This could help in understanding water loss patterns in flood-prone regions around the world.