Author(s): N. M. S. I. Arambepola
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Flood risk; Management; Urban disaster
Abstract: This paper attempts to highlight the flood mitigation initiatives in selected cities of Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Bangladesh. It embodies the experiences of demonstration project activities undertaken in those countries by the Asian Urban Disaster Mitigation Program (AUDMP) of the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), Bangkok. Those who specialize in dealing with hazards tend not to deal with vulnerability and it is a common problem seen among the disaster management community. Therefore one of the primary steps in flood management process should be not only to define the hazard but also to define the extent of the vulnerability. That eventually has to transform in to different levels of risk. Delineation of risk can be achieved using scientific practices as well as through optimal usage of community knowledge. Accuracy required in such risk assessment depends on the objectives of the study and this paper describes different risk assessment scenario considered. The paper explains the procedures adopted in flood mitigation action planning in different socio-cultural settings. Solutions acceptable to communities can be implemented without much resistance as seen from the lessons learned in case studies under reference.
Year: 2002