Codex is a company that offers data intelligence solutions for agile and efficient decision-making in the areas of climate, cities, data governance, environment, and infrastructure. With clients in both the public and private sectors (IBAMA, iFood, Vale, and IMASUL), the company played a central role in responding to the extreme weather event that impacted Rio Grande do Sul in early 2024.
In a world increasingly affected by climate change, the ability to respond quickly and effectively to natural disasters has become an absolute priority. In April and May 2024, the state of Rio Grande do Sul faced unprecedented flooding: 471 municipalities were affected, more than 600,000 people were displaced, and essential infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and public services was severely compromised. The economic loss was estimated at $300 million, a severe blow to the region.
In addition to the immediate impacts, the lack of prior preparation and the fragility of data infrastructure hindered communication and coordination of emergency actions. The floods revealed the absence of contingency plans in some cities—fundamental strategies that include demographic studies, risk area mapping, and defining disaster response actions. These plans ensure that responses are swift, coordinated, and effective, minimizing impacts on both populations and infrastructure.
The implementation of these plans can be facilitated through technology, making real-time information accessible to authorities and citizens. However, without prior planning, it became urgent to adopt technological solutions that could be rapidly deployed to support authorities in crisis management and protect vulnerable populations. In this chaotic scenario, technology and data intelligence emerged as crucial tools to mitigate the catastrophe's impacts and assist in the recovery of affected areas.
Codex, in partnership with Esri, the global leader in geographic information systems (GIS), leveraged its expertise and technological infrastructure in ArcGIS and cloud computing to help quickly restore the technological operations of state and municipal governments. This allowed for agile and precise decision-making, which is critical during crises.
Within 30 days, 17 monitoring and data analysis applications were developed and implemented, enabling local authorities to access updated information about the situation. These applications were built using tools that created interactive dashboards with real-time data, 2D and 3D visualizations for a better understanding of terrain and structures, and combined maps with interactive narratives. These technologies facilitated the rapid deployment of solutions, providing a solid foundation for decision-making and communication during the crisis.
The floods posed critical challenges, affecting the population in numerous ways. The risks extended beyond urban areas, encompassing the entire ecosystem surrounding these communities. For days, the people of Rio Grande do Sul endured floods, landslides, roadblocks, and power and water outages that devastated the region.
By creating interactive maps and dashboards to centralize data, it became possible to gain a comprehensive view of the social, economic, and structural impacts. This allowed authorities to identify the most affected areas, vulnerable populations, and damaged public and private buildings. These dashboards facilitated rescue operations and strategy development for reconstruction, ensuring responses were swift and targeted to the areas most in need.
One major concern during the floods was the dams, which threatened thousands of people in nearby municipalities. Monitoring applications were developed to provide authorities with real-time information on these structures. Additionally, 3D flood simulations were conducted to estimate areas that could be affected by potential dam failures. This helped authorities predict impacts, organize mitigation efforts, and ensure the population's safety.
Moreover, highways across the state were severely impacted by the disaster. They were monitored using a dashboard that provided data on sections blocked by potholes, asphalt damage, fallen trees, and landslides, assisting in planning alternative routes and coordinating rescue efforts by land and air.
One of the key lessons learned from the catastrophe in Rio Grande do Sul was the importance of prevention and prior organization in data governance. Codex's technological solutions were only fully effective thanks to the existence of an organized data structure, which enabled a rapid and coordinated response by authorities.
These technological solutions not only provided immediate responses but also contributed to the preparation and mitigation of future disasters. They highlighted the importance of a robust and well-planned digital infrastructure during crises.
In an era of accelerated climate change, where 90% of Brazilian municipalities have areas at climate risk, it is crucial for governments and companies to invest in solutions that ensure efficient and safe resource management, especially in times of crisis.
The increasing incidence of extreme weather events has made it clear that adapting to climate change is not solely a public sector issue. Private sector companies, regardless of their industry, must also consider climate risks in their operations and plan actions to mitigate these impacts. Developing climate adaptation plans, therefore, becomes a strategic priority to ensure business sustainability and resilience.
For all companies, a practical first step is conducting a climate vulnerability assessment. This process involves identifying the primary risks that climate change may pose to their operations, such as floods, droughts, or storms. With this information, companies can develop action plans to mitigate these risks, such as improving infrastructure to withstand natural disasters or diversifying supply chains to reduce dependence on vulnerable regions.
Companies can also adopt technology to monitor risks, using historical and real-time data to anticipate extreme events and adjust operations accordingly. In the context of natural disasters, data governance is not just a technical issue but a strategic component that determines the quality and speed of response to such situations.
Regulations for the private sector are still under development, but specific standards for climate adaptation are expected to emerge. Some initiatives are already underway, such as regulations for airports to integrate greenhouse gas data into their climate plans.
The financial impact of climate change is undeniable, and companies that anticipate these challenges by creating and implementing climate adaptation plans will be better prepared to address risks and seize opportunities in this new landscape.
The experience gained during the 2024 floods reinforces the message that preparation and strategic use of technology are essential to tackling future challenges. It underscores the need for continuous investment in technology and robust data systems capable of supporting emergency situations.
Prevention, supported by advanced technological tools, is key to saving lives and minimizing the impacts of increasingly frequent natural disasters. We will continue to work to offer innovative solutions that help protect communities and save lives through data intelligence.