Transcript PPT 8.3 MB - START - SysTem for Analysis Research and Training

“SIS 09 - Integrated Methods and Models for
Assessing Coastal Vulnerability and Adaptation to
Climate Change in the Pacific Countries”
Pacific Centre for Environment and
Sustainable Development
University of the South Pacific
FIJI
Presenter: Roshni Lata (Research Assistant)
Introduction
 3 Project site areas

Aitutaki, Cook Islands

Natadola, Viti Levu, FIJI

Navua, Viti Levu, FIJI
NDMO estimated a damage cost of $FJ850 million from the year 1982-2002 for Fiji due
to disasters
“Vulnerability of a Coastal Township to Flooding
Associated with Extreme Rainfall Events In Fiji”
By: M. Mataki, K. Koshy, R. Lata and L. Ralogaivau
• Findings of this paper on vulnerability to flooding is
through community survey (2003 and 2004), academic
papers, rainfall data analysis and through the insight of
the the recent flash flood
Purpose
 To characterise the vulnerability of the
Navua community to flooding
 To understand the non-climatic (human
induced) factors that contribute to flooding
Introduction
 Viti Levu, Fiji
 Total land area of
10, 388 square km
Introduction - Navua
 Majority of the population
reside around the “central
business district”
 The current population is
estimated to be ~ 7000.
 About 30% of the population
within the project site has
some form of paid
employment (2003)
 Navua Landuse
Navua River
 It is the fourth largest river in Viti Levu
 The rivers length running along the site is
about 5.81km
 It acts as the major reserve for water and
sediment runoff from the upper catchment
 Dredging was carried out in 1982 and 1992
Flooding
 Ration within the project
site area incurred a bill of
$112, 803
 Damages to homes was
estimated to be around
$190, 000 within the site
 Intensive damage to
agriculture, infrastructure
and human health
Source: Fiji Red Cross Society
Flooding
 Flooding was exacerbated
by the clogged irrigation
channels, dysfunctional
flood gates and the
accumulation of sediments
in the Navua River
 Human health suffering
especially increase in
water-borne diseases were
observed
Source: Fiji Red Cross Society
Factors contributing to
vulnerability towards Flooding
 Non-climatic
– Socio-economic
– Logging operation, aggregate mining and
haphazard farming practices
– Political Indifference
 Climatic
– Prolonged and intense rainfall can increase the
potential of flooding
Data Source and Analysis
 Data obtained is from FMS
– Climatological rainfall normal (1961-1990)
– Period (1960 –2003)
– daily rainfall data
– Single FMS station (Tamanoa)
Results and Data Analysis
 The total climatological annual
rainfall normal of Navua is
3500mm.
Results and Data Analysis
 April has the most
incidences of rainfall
greater than or equal
to 100mm, followed
by March.
 The least incidences of
rainfall (>100mm)
being in the months,
June, July and August
Results and Data Analysis
 April and March daily rainfall
Results and Data Analysis
 The return-period of the
intense daily rainfall
events has reduced from
~5 years to ~3 years
Conclusion
 No increase trends of rainfall in the past 4 decades
apart from inter-annual variability in rainfall as a
result of El nino and La Nina events respectively.
 A reduction in the return period of intense rainfall
events in months March and April from ~5 years
to ~3 years in the recent decade
Conclusion
 Several factors have compounded to an
increase in the vulnerability of the Navua
community to flooding
 The government needs to intervene through
appropriate policies and actions to reduce
the impact of flooding on the livelihood of
the Navua community
Navua Project Site
Source: Fiji Red Cross Society