Using high-resolution satellite imagery from international space partners, PhilSA identified flooded areas in Cotabato, Maguindanao del Sur, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA, as well as a landslide site in Lanao del Sur.
The agency analyzed satellite data to provide critical information to disaster response authorities, enabling faster assessment of affected communities and helping prioritize rescue and relief operations.
Floods and Landslides Captured from Space
PhilSA generated flooded area maps for Cotabato and Maguindanao del Sur using images from South Korea’s KOMPSAT-3 satellite, captured on July 14, 2026 at 2:27 p.m. Philippine time. The satellite’s 0.7-meter spatial resolution allowed for detailed visual assessment of flood-affected communities and their immediate surroundings.
The flooded area maps are based on visual interpretation of satellite imagery and remain subject to ground validation.
Meanwhile, PhilSA also mapped a landslide in Barangay Ngingir, Calanogas, Lanao del Sur using very high-resolution optical imagery from the Pléiades Neo satellite constellation operated by Airbus. The images, captured on July 13 at approximately 10:41 a.m., were used to verify the landslide location reported by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Operations Center.
The high-resolution landslide map is available here: https://tinyurl.com/Landslide-20260713-PNEO
Flood Mapping Through Radar Technology
For CALABARZON and MIMAROPA, PhilSA utilized Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery from India’s EOS-4 satellite, captured on July 14 at 6:05 p.m. SAR technology enables flood detection even through thick cloud cover and during nighttime—making it especially valuable during severe weather events.
Flooded areas were identified by analyzing radar signal values and distinguishing flooded surfaces from non-flooded terrain.
The complete set of flood extent maps for CALABARZON and MIMAROPA can be accessed here: https://tinyurl.com/Flood-20260714-EOS4
PhilSA also conducted similar flood mapping efforts in Mindanao using imagery from Canada’s RCM-1 satellite, captured on July 12 at 5:48 p.m.
The flood extent maps for Mindanao are available here: https://tinyurl.com/Flood-20260712-RCM
While SAR imagery is highly effective for flood monitoring during storms, PhilSA noted that it may underestimate flooding in urban centers and densely vegetated areas due to signal interference. All flood maps remain subject to on-the-ground validation.
International Space Cooperation for Disaster Response
The satellite data used in PhilSA’s analysis were made available through international partnerships involving space agencies and organizations from Korea, France, India, Canada, and Europe.
These collaborations include:
Sentinel Asia, led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC), which supports disaster management initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region;
The International Charter: Space and Major Disasters, a global network of space agencies and satellite operators providing satellite imagery for emergency response; and CopPhil, or the National Copernicus Capacity Support Action Programme for the Philippines, which provides free and immediate access to Copernicus satellite data for applications in disaster risk reduction, agriculture, and environmental monitoring.
By leveraging satellite technology and international cooperation, PhilSA continues to support the NDRRMC and other stakeholders in monitoring disasters and delivering timely, data-driven insights for emergency response.
The agency said that making space data accessible to decision-makers strengthens the country’s disaster preparedness and enables more informed and effective response efforts when calamities strike.