Session Report Cover Sheet
SESSION CODE: FLOD - 02
Name of Convener(s): Avinash Tyagi
DATE:
18 - March, 2003
Session
Title:
Management
and
Integrated
People,
Flood
Flood
and
Vulnerability Reduction
Accommodation: Toyoko Inn Shijyo Karasuma
Contact information
Contact No.: Katsuhito Miyake
090-6954-2963
in Japan
Contact E-mail: miyake_k@gateway.wmo.ch
1
Session Report
SESSION CODE: FLOD - 02
Reporter/Rapporteur: Avinash Tyagi
Contact E-mail :
1. Key Issues
Disastrous effects of floods have been on the rise in the recent past, mainly as a consequence of the
expansion of settlements and growth of economic activities in flood plains. Floodplains have the highest
development potential. However, unintegrated approaches to flood plain management hampers their
optimal utilization due to loss of development opportunities, contributes to the accentuation of flood
magnitudes and results in conflict between upstream and downstream communities. The likely
intensification of hydrological cycle with associated occurrence of floods and droughts and expected sea
level rise due to climate change are no more in the realm of scientific conjectures and need to be
factored in to the overall flood management strategy. Lack of involvement of all stakeholders in the
preparation of disaster preparedness plans and subsequent rehabilitation activities makes the
community potential dormant and inactive. Advances in data observation, satellite communication and
meteorological weather prediction models need to provide improved flood warning for timely disaster
response.
2. Actions
Policies on flood management around the world in developed and developing economies have come
under detailed scrutiny in the last few years due to the abnormal rise in annual flood damage and the
increased frequency of flooding.
The realization for adopting an integrated flood management
approach, however, is yet to be put to practice. With the increased appreciation of potential community
participation, their involvement is moving ahead but at a slow pace due to the lack of an institutional
mechanism.
3. Commitments
4. Recommendations
Specific recommendations are:

Flood management activities need to be integrated and taken up within the context of IWRM,
recognizing the river basin as an organic dynamic system.

Flood management strategies, oriented toward development, and adequately supported within the
overall scheme of disaster mitigation and risk management plans should integrate various available
2
options. Both positive and negative aspects of floods should be factored in flood plain land use
planning.

Flood management options, whether structural or non-structural should be evaluated considering
their response to the complete water cycle.
These options being functions of given
hydro-meteorological, morphological, social and economic conditions should not be attempted to be
imported.

Community participation at all levels of decision making should be ensured in evolving
comprehensive flood management plans including disaster response plans.

Capacities of communities need to be built to be able to respond to the impacts of floods, duly
recognizing existing indigenous wisdom.

Necessary legal framework for the active involvement of communities in Integrated Flood
Management (IFM) - including conflict resolution - needs to be created.

Activities of all stakeholders and players in flood management should be coordinated and
synthesized.

Free and smooth flow of flood information – including flood forecasting – shall be ensured to facilitate
timely and appropriate responses.

Flood forecasts should be improved for easy interpretation and should be able to address the
concerns of the flood affected population to enable them to take preventive action.

There is a need for sharing data, information and experiences in various aspects of integrated flood
management.

Advocacy to convince decision-makers to adopt IFM should be pursued.
3