Flood risk assessment and prioritisation of measures: two key tools in the development of a national programme of flood risk management measures in Moldova

Abstract

Following severe floods in 2008 and 2010, the Government of Moldova requested assistance to improve flood protection throughout the country. The European Investment Bank has funded a Technical Assistance project to develop a programme of flood risk management measures. The project included the detailed 2D hydraulic modelling of the high-risk rivers (about 3400 km) to produce flood hazard and flood risk maps, the identification of measures to reduce the flood risk, the prioritisation of measures and the development of a phased investment programme and a Short-Term Investment Plan. Flood risk was assessed using 12 flood risk indicators representing social, economic and environmental impacts of flooding. Prioritisation of measures took account of: (i) the urgency of the measure; (ii) the magnitude of the risk that can be reduced with the measure; (iii) the benefit-cost ratio of the measure. The approaches used and in particular the methodologies implemented and the results obtained for flood risk assessment and for prioritisation of measures proved to be valuable tools to reach the objective of the study and, in particular, to facilitate the discussion with the stakeholders and the decision-making process.

Development and Evaluation of a Web-Based and Interactive Flood Management Tool for Awash and Omo-Gibe Basins, Ethiopia

“…The role of the flood risk management system, in general, is as a tool to monitor flooding in consultation with decision-makers, flood vulnerable communities, and stakeholders. Since flood risks have never been controlled, and if it is beyond the capacity to reduce flooding impacts [9], this includes practices to adapt and live with minimized flood risks. The application of flood forecasting and early warning component as part of a flood risk management system to mitigate flood impacts is feasible and less costly to implement.…”

“…Once the flood forecasting and modeling systems were developed, the flood early warnings can be issued to a range of users, such as (a) creating readiness for operational and flood emergencies, (b) providing early warning in time about flood impacts including locations of the event, and (c) give time to undertake evacuation and emergency procedures in case of extreme floods. To enhance and improve the flood risk management plan [9] and decision-making facilities, this case study avails a strategic flood tool that possesses a sustainable flood management system [10]. Therefore, the flood forecasting and early warning system is an economical and time-saving monitoring system using the advantage of an interactive and responsive web-based flood tool.…”