Integrating Local & Indigenous Knowledge with Science & Technology for Flood & Landslide Control: Case

studies from Japan and other countries

1. Revival of indigenous methods of flood control in Japan 2. Validation of omens as indicators for early warning and their practical application 3. Development of hydrological equipment for community early warning to monitor concentrated rainfall increasing as a result of climate change 4. Education in Cuba
19 April 2013 19 April 2013

Hidetomi Oi
Ex-JICA Senior Expert on Water Resources Development and Disaster Reduction

1. Revival of indigenous methods for flood control in Japan

Open levee Retarding basin

Skeleton

1600s-1800s (Feudal era) Variety of indigenous methods suitable for local conditions were Secondary levee developed, encouraged by feudal governments, as shown in the figure.
Ring levee

Mattress

Forest belt

Base raising

1896-1976 (Meiji era) Long high levees were constructed to confine floods in the river, applying advanced technologies and using heavy machines.

1977Comprehensive Flood Control including construction of rain water storage and infiltration facilities in housing development areas to reduce flooding of urban rivers. 1996Revival of indigenous methods in view of their resilience against extremes as well as environmental merits, allowing inundation but avoiding total destruction and leading to early recovery. In 2010 JICA prepared Handbook on Climate Change Adaptation in the Water Sector :A Resilient Approach that Integrates Water Management and Community Development which emphasized resilience. This shift is being accelerated learning from lessons from the tsunami disaster on 11 March 2011.

Example of indigenous methods

Open levee

Ring levee
Ring levees are seen in deltas of GangesBrahmaputra(Bangladesh), Ayeyarwadi(Myanmar), Kiso(Japan) etc.

Forest belt Forest belts

Forest belts on the river side reduce impact of floods and protect levees and houses etc. Forest belts on the inner side reduce energy of overflowing floods and protect levees and houses etc.

Traditional river works

Mattress works Mattress works

Skeleton works

Skeleton works

Gabion works
Bamboo gabions were used for urgent rehabilitation works in Japan.

Gabions are used popularly in developing countries.

River bank protection with used tires, Trinidad and Tobago

Slope protection works using used tires, Sri Lanka

Storage and infiltration have been given priority as a basin approach to

mitigate flooding of urban rivers since 1970s

Storage : roof top, park, playground, parking area etc.

Infiltration :porous pavement

Example of storage
Playground
Small park and tennis court Parking area

Study on Comprehensive Flood Mitigation for Cavite, Metro Manila, Philippines (JICA 2009)
An example to address flood problem of urban rivers due to urbanization and climate change. The principle is basin approach with emphasis on storage (retarding basin, storage ponds), in addition to river works (widening, dredging, embankment).
1400 1200
Discharge (m /s)

Qp = 1,090 m3/s Year 2050 under Secenario B1

Qp=1,300m3/s Year 2050 under Secenario A1FI

1000 800 600 400 200 0 0 6 12

Qp = 880m3/s States Quo

18

24 Time (Hour)

30

36

42

48

2008 Peak discharge 880 m/s

2050 1,300m/s (1.5) 74,200 houses (3)

Inundated house 21,800 houses

Retarding basins along rivers

(Cavite,Philippines)

Storage ponds in housing

development areas (Cavite, Philippines)

2. Validation of omens (signs, symptoms) as indicators for early warning and their practical application
Omens had long been used for early warning especially for sediment related disasters, but as science/technology developed, such a practice gradually diminished. However, recent surveys disclosed that although people were reluctant to evacuate even with instructions from mayors, they did evacuate if they perceive any omen. It was also disclosed that instructions of mayors were not always appropriate in terms of timing as well as contents of messages. Accordingly, Government (Min. of Land, Infrastructure and Transport) conducted a survey to validate omens from scientific point of view in 2006. As a result of survey of 71 disaster cases, a total of 30 omens were identified as meaningful indicators for early warning. Local governments are considering to incorporate the results of the survey into Disaster Management Plan and school curriculum.

Survey Sheet

Rainfall (hourly and accumulated)

Government actions (central and local)

Weather conditions

Witnesses on omens

Disaster

Progress of hazardous phenomena and omens perceived

SLOPE FAILURES
1. Cracks, Falling of cobbles, Swelling of slopes 2. Spout of water from slope; Springs become muddy. 3. Tilting of trees, Trembling of trees 4. Ground rumbling DEBRIS FLOWS 1. Slope failures in mountain slopes, Falling of cobbles 2. Decrease in river water while rains continue. 3. Ground rumbling, Sounds of trees being split 4. Smell of decay LANDSLIDES 1. Deformation of ground; Cracks in slopes, foot path, pavement, walls 2. Water of wells, streams becomes turbulent. 3. Sudden decrease in water level (ponds etc.)

4. Sounds of trees being split

Supplementary reader for elementary school illustrating omens for debris-flows, landslides and slope failures respectively

Omens for the case of debris-flows

3. Development of hydrological equipment for community early warning

As a result of climate change, locally concentrated rainfall has been increasing, causing flash floods and sediment related disasters. Such localized rainfalls can not be monitored by government observation networks and should be monitored at each community for timely actions. Various equipment have been developed. The one shown below has been developed in the Caribbean and Japan which is suitable for community early warning due to following advantages: Cheap in cost Easy for assembly, operation and maintenance

Safe observation in the house

Short, heavy rainfall even in the mid-night will be measured without fail due to the alarm device.

Ordinary water level gage. It is dangerous to go out to the observation site to observe the sudden rise of water level in the mid-night under heavy storm. Workshop for assembling the equipment for government staff in Fiji in 2012 (left) and in Nepal in 2011(right)

Community based landslide early warning system, developed by Gajamada University, Indonesia

Community flood early warning with a sensor of two stainless rods beneath the floor, developed by a person of electrical appliance shop, Mindanao, Philippines

4. Disaster education in Cuba, which supports the most advanced in the world in disaster management management
Education starts as early as at kindergarten

At elementary school using paper TV

Disaster Management Club at junior high school

THANKS