IFNet_Newsletter_December 2012

IFNet Newsletter December 2012 issue
December 14, 2012 / IFNet secretariat

News Letter

IFNet Newsletter Decmber, 2012

1. Recent water-related disasters in the world
1- 1 Flood in Bangladesh
The Tropical storm reached the Bangladesh’s southern islands and coastal area on early October 11th and caused heavy rain, strong wind and high tide. According to the government (DMIC), the storm caused 36 deaths, 72 missing, 183 injured and 103,836 affected.
(Disaster Management Information Centre, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (PDF file))

1- 2 Floods in Caribbean countries (Hurricane Sandy)
From October 22nd to 27th, the Hurricane Sandy passed Caribbean countries and triggered the heavy rain. Sandy had affected more than 700,000 people in Haiti, Cuba, Jamaica, the Republica Dominicana, Las Bahamas, Guatemala and Colombia. Especially Haiti and Cuba had severe damage. In Haiti, more than 21,000 people had been evacuated and more than 54 dead. In Cuba, 640,000 people had been evacuated and 11 dead, 160,800 houses and 11 bridges have been damaged.
(Haiti: IFRC Report)
(Cuba: ACT Alliance Report)
(Over view map)

1- 3 Floods in the USA (Hurricane Sandy)
Sandy made landfall near Atlantic City, New Jersey as post-tropical cyclone on November 26th and caused strong wind, heavy rain, high tide from North Carolina to Main. Sandy killed 132 and caused damage of $62 billion and other losses in the U.S.
Urban infrastructures such as subway and road tunnels, underground stations, underground electric power substations etc, in New York were submerged. Emergency response, recovery and reconstruction works are still underway by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), USACE (US Army Corps of Engineers), DOE (Department of Energy) and relevant agencies.
(The list of victims in the U.S. and Canada)
(Google crisis map - Sandy)

1- 4 Flood in Venice
More than 70% of Venice, historical lagoon city in Italy had been inundated because of high tide. Sea water level reached 1.5meters and marked 6th-highest level since record began in 1872. In Venice, sea level frequently rose due to high tide and strong wind called “Acqua alta (high water)”.
(Reuters - Tourists swim in Venice square as heavy rain pounds Italy)

1- 6 Floods in UK
Heavy rains caused floods through England and Wales for week from November 21st. In a week of flooded, approximate 1,200 homes were seriously damaged and 4 people died. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC (PwC) estimates cost insurers 500 million pounds ($806 million). Total flood insurance bill for 2012 in UK will reach 1 billion pounds ($1.6 billion), the most since 2007, according to PwC.
(Met Office - UK)
(Bloomberg - U.K. Floods to coast insurers as much as $800 million, PwC says)

1- 5 Flood in the Philippines
Typhoon Bopha (local name Pablo) hit Mindanao, southern part of Philippines and caused flood, landslide, mudflow and collapse of infrastructure on December 14th. According to NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council) reports published on 6th, typhoon Bopha caused at least 906 deaths and 932 missings.
Last year, typhoon Washi (local name Sendong) hit the same Mindanao and killed more than 1,500.

(National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, NDRRMC) -please check the latest report-
(Google crisis map - Bopha)

2. Support of JICA Tsukuba training course on Climate Change
JICA Tsukuba training course “Adaptation to Climate Change (CC)” supported by IDI was conducted for four weeks from 30th September 2012. The training course provided lectures about comprehensive knowledge and techniques for adaptation plan toward CC, climate model and forecast, environmental impact assessment, vulnerability of disaster prevention / water resources / agriculture sectors etc. Trainees also had field trips for Arid Land Research Center of Tottori University, Toyooka River Ofice, Rokko Sabo Office, and Bio-power plant in Katsuta, etc. By using the knowledge and information acquired during this training course, the trainees are expected to promote actions in terms of adaptation of climate change in each country.
(Article with a photo - IDI website)

3. 2nd South Africa - Japan Workshop on Water Resources Management
“2nd South Africa - Japan Workshop on Water Resources Management” was held on November 7th, 2012, co-organized by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and the Ministry of Water Affairs of South Africa, which Infrastructure Development Institute-Japan (IDI) supported its arrangement. This workshop followed the 1st workshop that was held at Pretoria, South Africa last year.
In this workshop, Japan side introduced its policy and technology on water resources management, disaster management, water recycle/reuse and asset management on sewerage system, which caught high attention from South Africa side. By utilizing such information, South Africa side could develop its capacity for better water resources management and disaster mitigation. Also this workshop will enable mutual understandings and will strengthen further cooperation between two countries.
(Press Release of MLIT (written in Japanese))
(Article with a photo - IDI website)

4. Flood Investigation for the Philippines
Based on the assigned work from MLIT (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism), Government of Japan, IDI had a filed investigation for the Philippines. In August 2012, Metro Manila suffered from a southwest monsoon and many areas were inundated. Especially in Roxas Boulevard (seashore road of Manila Bay), high tide caused sea-level rise to the heihgt of sign board at a local supermarket.
After this investigation, there had opportunities to hold meetings with the relevant organizations such as DPWH and OCD to discuss on the possibility for future cooperation and collaboration in terms of water-related disaster management.

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IFNet is an open network, purpose of the activities is to share experiences and information on flood issues. We look forward to your active participation and flood related information to be shared among participants. Please email to the IFNet secretariat for contact.

INTERNATIONAL FLOOD NETWORK (IFNet) secretariat
Website: http://www.internationalfloodnetwork.org/index.html
E-mail: info@internationalfloodnetwork.org
Tokyo, Japan
December 2012