His background
After earning my Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Cape Town, South Africa, I pursued Master’s degrees in Stockholm, Sweden, and Delft, Netherlands. Following this, I worked as a civil engineer in Mauritius, specializing in flood control systems for four years and obtaining professional accreditation. My academic journey continued with a second master's degree in Japan, focusing on flood disaster risk reduction. This PhD represents a natural progression of my academic and professional endeavours to understand flooding mechanisms.
Key facts
Coming from Mauritius, where we are surrounded by water, my life has always been intricately linked to its influence. This relationship drives my desire to research and understand the link between water systems, climate change, and human populations.
Summary of his thesis
My research focuses on developing a comprehensive framework for impact-based urban flash flood and surface water flood forecasts in France and India. I'm tackling the challenges of uncertain precipitation forecasts and short lead times head-on, integrating advanced modelling techniques and real-time data to improve the accuracy and timeliness of flood warnings. By incorporating socio-economic impact assessments, I aim to provide actionable insights for emergency management agencies and communities at risk.
What's next?
Looking ahead, I'm committed to applying my expertise to support resilience-building efforts in vulnerable regions, particularly in the Global South and small island nations. Whether through teaching, academia, or capacity-building initiatives, I'm determined to empower communities to adapt to the impacts of extreme climate events.
Akshay KOWLESSER Developing an end-to-end framework for impact-based urban flash flood and surface water flood forecasts in France and India
