Overview of Hydro-Overview of Hydro-meteorological Disasters meteorological Disasters

in Asiain Asia

by Ti Le-Huu

Water Resources SectionEnvironment and Sustainable

Development DivisionUNESCAP

Main Points of DiscussionMain Points of DiscussionNatural hazards and hydro-meteorological

disastersHydro-meteorological disasters in AsiaRecent developments in dealing with

hydro-meteorological disastersTrends in disaster management in

national planningNeeds and recommended priority actions

Major Hazards in AsiaMajor Hazards in Asia Floods Cyclones Earthquakes Droughts Tornadoes

Debris flows Hailstorms Storm surges Tsunamis Haze

Source: UNESCAP Surveys

Hydro-meteorological Hydro-meteorological Disasters iDisasters in the Regionn the Region

Asia is one of the most vulnerable regions of the world to water-related natural disasters, including floods, cyclones, droughts, tornados, debris flows, hailstorms and storm surges (ESCAP’s recent surveys).

All countries in Asia are affected by annual hydro-meteorological disasters.

Characteristics of hydro-meteorological disasters may vary among the countries.

Floods in hydro-Floods in hydro-meteorological disastersmeteorological disasters

The most frequent and severe natural disaster in Asia is floods.

Critical years: 1992 to 2003. Most severe years: 1998, 2000, 1997 and 1995.

During the last Decade, floods caused nearly 200,000 deaths and damage of several tens of US$ billions (including US$23 billion lost in 1998 mostly by floods in China, RoK and Viet Nam)

Annual Impacts of HAnnual Impacts of Hydro-ydro-meteorological Disastersmeteorological Disasters

Order of impacts: floods, strong winds, land slides, storm surges.

Annual damage by hydro-meteorological disasters in the typhoon area varies from $5.5 million in Hong Kong, China to $1.96 billion in Japan.

Benefits from typhoons: 50% of annual rainfall in Philippines.

A recent flood in Cambodia

A recent flood in Moosan City, Republic of Korea

PerspectivesPerspectives Hydro-meteorological disaster

management has a long history of mankind.

Achievements are different from one country to another depending on socio-economic conditions.

Diversity in the region provide a wide spectrum of achievements in hydro-meteorological disaster management processes.

In India, recent trends are decreasing.

In Thailand, overall trends are increasing, except recent damage trend

In Philippines, all trends are increasing, except recent house damage

In Japan and ROK, decreasing trends of disasters impact are obvious, although it is much clearer in the case of Japan

Best Regional PracticesBest Regional Practices

Cyclone and Flood EWS: Typhoon Committee, Panel on Tropical Cyclones, Mekong River Commission and several countries in the region

Community-based disaster management: Typhoon Committee, DPR-SEA-2 and ADPC-IFRC Workshop on Disaster Management Practitioners

Key MessagesKey Messages Hydro-meteorological disasters continue

to be one of the most important impediments to sustainable socio-economic development and poverty eradication in Asia

Success in hydro-meteorological disaster management depends on how effective the activities are integrated into the national development process

Effectiveness of the integration depends correct understanding of socio-economic impact of the disasters at all levels: regional, national, sub-national and local

OpportunitiesOpportunitiesPreparatory activities of the World

Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe, Hyogo in January 2005

Importance of hydro-meteorological disaster management in formulation of IWRM and WSSD targets on IWRM Plan in 2005

Importance of disaster management in poverty eradication of MDGs and JPOI

Recommended Priority ActionsRecommended Priority ActionsSearch for appropriate methodologies to assess

socio-economic impact of disastersUndertake pilot projects on application of these

methodologies to better support the national development processes

Propose strategies for disaster impact assessment in the region, based on experiences of the pilot projects and best regional practices

Develop a regional programme on management of hydro-meteorological disasters for poverty eradication to be presented at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction in 2005