Mapping Resilience: Harnessing Open Data for Flood Preparedness in Sunamganj

On March 4, 2025, the YouthMappers Chapter at the Institute of Remote Sensing and GIS (IRS), Jahangirnagar University, proudly celebrated Open Data Day 2025 with an impactful event titled "Mapping Resilience: Harnessing Open Data for Flood Preparedness in Sunamganj." This celebration united over 50 students in a full-day program dedicated to open data, disaster resilience, and community engagement.

Why Sunamganj?

Sunamganj, a flood-prone region of Bangladesh, served as the focal point of our mapping efforts. By leveraging the power of OpenStreetMap (OSM), participants explored how open data can be harnessed to mitigate flood risks and support emergency response planning.

A Day of Learning, Mapping, and Impact

The event kicked off with registration and morning refreshments, followed by an inaugural ceremony featuring a welcome address, a discussion on the significance of Open Data Day, and a group photo session capturing the community spirit.

A highlight of the event was the keynote speech by guest speaker Toma Rani Saha, Lecturer at IRS, who shared insights on "OpenStreetMap for Disaster Resilience: Lessons from Sunamganj's Flood-Prone Areas." The engaging session included a Q&A, sparking thoughtful discussions around open data and disaster management.

Hands-On OSM Workshop

The hands-on OpenStreetMap (OSM) workshop was a key highlight of the day, conducted by Zobaer Rahman, President of YouthMappers at IRS and OM Guru at Open Mapping Hub Asia-Pacific, alongside Krishna Proshad Mondol, Officer of YouthMappers at IRS and fellow OM Guru.

Participants engaged in an interactive session where they explored the fundamentals of OSM using tools like iD Editor and JOSM. Guided by the facilitators, students worked in teams to map flood-vulnerable areas in Sunamganj, tagging key features such as roads, waterways, and infrastructure.

The workshop also included a case study discussion to analyze existing data gaps in Sunamganj and brainstorm community-driven strategies for improving data accuracy and validation. The session empowered students with practical mapping skills while emphasizing the critical role of open data in disaster preparedness.

Competition: Innovate to Mitigate

In the afternoon, participants joined an on-the-spot competition themed "Innovate to Mitigate." Teams of 3–4 competed to:

• Map flood-prone areas using OSM tools within an hour, and

• Propose creative, data-driven solutions for flood preparedness.

Entries were judged on accuracy, innovation, teamwork, and presentation by a panel of faculty members and OSM experts. The top three teams received certificates and OSM-themed prizes.

Closing

The event concluded with a closing ceremony and Iftar, where participants shared feedback, received awards, and reflected on the day's achievements. The Chapter Advisor delivered closing remarks, emphasizing the importance of sustaining open data contributions beyond the event.

By connecting global open data advocacy with local action, this Open Data Day 2025 celebration was more than an event — it was a movement toward resilience. Through mapping, learning, and collaboration, participants demonstrated how open data can empower communities like Sunamganj to better prepare for climate challenges.

Stay tuned for future YouthMappers activities as we continue turning data into action!

About the Author

Zobaer Rahman is a studennt of Department of Geography and Environment at Jahangirnagar University, he serves as the President of YouthMappers at IRS, Jahangirnagar University Chapter and an OM GURU of Open Mapping Hub Asia-Pacific