SwiftGuard - Enhancing Resilience and Adaptation to Flood Hazards 
In response to the pressing need for climate action and sustainable development, particularly in regions vulnerable to climate-related hazards like floods, we developed a solution named SwiftGuard which is an early flood alarm warning system for the eThekwini District in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) focusing on the area closer to the Umngeni River. SwiftGuard is designed to bolster resilience and adaptive capacity in the face of climate-related hazards and natural disasters. 
SwiftGuard integrates advanced sensor technologies with real-time data collection, data analysis and communication capabilities to provide timely and accurate flood warnings to residents and authorities in the eThekwini District. The system comprises of a telemetry buoy which is an automatic measurement and wireless transmission of data from remote sources, a demultiplexer which is a circuit that converts a single input signal into multiple signals and a solar powered alarm.(Barney 2002: sp) 
This system would be strategically placed having telemetry buoys along the Umngeni River, continuously monitoring water levels and weather conditions. When a potential flood risk is detected, the data collected gets passed through to the South African Weather Service (SAWS), Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) and emergency services. The system simultaneously triggers automated alerts via sirens ensuring widespread awareness of incoming floods and downpours during seasons of heavy rainfall. SwiftGuard not only provides crucial time for evacuation or preparation but also minimizes the potential for loss of life and insurmountable damage to private property. Another innovation for this project is the usage of solar energy to power the alarm system. By using solar energy, the system operates mostly off-grid, guaranteeing continuous operation and timely alerts to impending flood events. Additionally, the use of solar power aligns with sustainable energy practices, reducing carbon emissions and promoting environmental stewardship. 
The project aligns closely with Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action), as it directly addresses the need to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters (What are the Sustainable Development Goals? [sa]: [sp]). By enhancing early warning capabilities, SwiftGuard contributes to proactive climate mitigation efforts, helping communities mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events. Furthermore, the project also intersects with Sustainable Development Goal 9 which is Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, as well as SDG 11 which is Sustainable Cities and Communities. SDG 9 emphasizes the importance of fostering innovation and infrastructure
development, precisely what this project embodies through its socio-technical approach to disaster resilience (What are the Sustainable Development Goals? [sa]: [sp]). SDG 11 underscores the necessity of creating sustainable cities and communities (What are the Sustainable Development Goals? [sa]: [sp]), and the flood alarm system plays a crucial role in safeguarding the residents of flood prone areas such as the eThekwini District against the adverse effects of flooding, ensuring better preparedness, response, and recovery. They can help minimize loss of life and damage to infrastructure, promoting sustainable urban development. promoting community resilience and well-being. 
SwiftGuard exemplifies alignment with the three pillars of sustainability as outlined in Design for Sustainability (DfS) theory: environmental, social, and economic (Spangenberg, Fuad-Luke, & Blincoe 2010: [sp]). Environmentally, the use of solar power reduces reliance on fossil fuels, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and promoting renewable energy adoption. On the social level, the system enhances community resilience by providing early warnings and empowering residents to take proactive measures in the face of climate-related hazards, thereby safeguarding lives and livelihoods. 
In conclusion, SwiftGuard developed for the eThekwini District represents a significant step towards building resilience and adaptation to climate-related hazards. Through innovative design and technology integration, the project addresses the critical need for disaster preparedness in the form of an implementable solution while aligning with the principles of sustainable development and the Design for Sustainability theory. By leveraging renewable energy and advanced sensor technologies, the system serves as a beacon of hope for vulnerable communities, offering a tangible solution to mitigate the impacts of climate change and foster a more resilient future.
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The image below illustrates the flow of communication in our system: 

References 
Spangenberg, J. H., Fuad-Luke, A., & Blincoe, K. (2010, November). Design for Sustainability (DfS): the interface of sustainable production. Retrieved from Science Direct: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652610002143 
What are the Sustainable Development Goals? (n.d.). Retrieved from United Nations Development Programme: https://www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals 
Bernard, N. (2022,December). Telemetry: What is telemetry. Retrieved from: https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/telemetry