Development of a flood damage model for the Mekong Delta

An essential part of flood risk assessments is the estimation of damages inflicted by floods. However, little attention has been put on this aspect in recent years, although studies have shown that the damage estimation is one of the most uncertain parts in a flood risk assessment. The main problem is either, that appropriate damage models do not exist at all, or that they are not validated.  In Vietnam, there is currently no specific damage model available. This lack is to be alleviated within WISDOM. A basis for any damage model development is a solid database of flood damages and associated damage influencing factors. Therefor a dedicated questionnaire survey was undertaken in 2011 to establish this database for Can Tho province (Fig. 1).

The household interviews were undertaken between 03.01.2012 and 29.02.2012 (Figure 2) in 18 wards of 4 districts of Can Tho city, which are Ninh Kieu district, Binh Thuy district, Cai Rang district and O Mon district (Figure 1). In total 870 interviews were undertaken including 490 interviews with private households and 380 interviews with small companies, particularly shops, which were affected by the flood in 2011. The flood affected people were asked about the flood impact, emergency and precautionary measures undertaken, building and company characteristics, socio-economic status of the household and about the damage to the building and contents (Figure 3, figure 4).

Figure 1: Overview of survey locations. Total 870 interviews with: 490 private households. 380 small shops.

Figure 2: Undertaking interviews with private households and shops

Figure 3: Flood damage in residential buildings

Figure 4: Repairing houses after flood

The questionnaires are currently evaluated and statistical links between damage and influencing factors are investigated in order to establish a data-based damage model.