Satellite-Detected Flood Waters in Nicaragua, November 2020

A Sentinel-1 radar image from 08 November 2020 was used to map surface waters in Puerto Cabezas, Prinzapolka, and Laguna de Perlas Municipality, Nicaragua. The analysis, conducted by the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT), identified approximately 1,200 km² of flooded land within a 12,000 km² area and estimated about 7,500 people potentially exposed. This is a preliminary, unvalidated analysis produced for rapid situational awareness.

Use Cases

• Rapid flood impact assessment based on satellite-detected surface water extents.
• Population exposure estimation based on WorldPop data and detected flood areas.
• Validation of flood models using observed satellite data from a specific event.
• Baseline mapping for post-disaster recovery planning in the affected municipalities.

Strengths

• Covers a large analyzed area of about 12,000 km².
• Provides specific estimates: 1,200 km² of flooded land and 7,500 people potentially exposed.
• Data is sourced from Sentinel-1 radar imagery and WorldPop population data.
• Produced by an authoritative source, the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT).

Limitations

• Preliminary analysis not validated in the field; accuracy is unconfirmed.
• Radar-based flood detection may underestimate water in built-up and densely vegetated areas.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.

Provenance

Source

United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT)

Collection Method

Analysis of Sentinel-1 radar satellite imagery.

Time Range

Observation date 08 November 2020.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-04-19 09:06:16.240392; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Puerto Cabezas, Prinzapolka, and Laguna de Perlas Municipality, Nicaragua.