A study on floods on the Bui River (Hoa Binh) [Citizen scientists' engagement in flood risk-related data collection: a case study in Bui River Basin, Vietnam] published in the journal Environmental Monitoring and Assessment has shown its feasibility of participation of citizen scientists in collecting data related to flood hazard and risk in their neighborhoods, and the damage caused by floods.

People around the Bui River or around flood-affected areas participated in the data collection process as citizen scientists with using self-investigation methods or surveys using data collection applications, online forms and paper forms.

Scientists developed a community-based rainfall monitoring network in the study area using low-cost rain gauges.

The 594 participants in the study contributed data on 594 completed questionnaires and measurements for four survey subjects during the first year of implementation.

During the remaining time, five citizen scientists were active participants and contributed more than 50 completed questionnaires or measurements, while nearly 50% of citizen scientists participated only once.

The researchers compared flood risk-related data from citizen scientists with other independent data sources and found that agreement between the two datasets on flood scores, classification land use and flood damage with agriculture.

The results of the study show that citizen scientists can help support and fill flood data gaps in data-deficient areas.