Utilising aerial mapping approach on dam disaster risk reduction

Abstract

In a disaster-prone area, the preparation and readiness of the population at risk are important for disaster risk reduction. Some countries prepare for disaster by proposing a periodic evacuation exercise to establish community preparedness for the potential disaster threats in the area. Still, the extent of the practice dictates the level of community readiness and understanding of the disaster. There are numerous ways of planning an emergency evacuation for a disaster ranging from a simple desktop review to the detailed mathematical algorithm of evacuation components. This paper share the experience of applying aerial mapping with the Geographic Information System (GIS) overlay method to support the simulation exercise and evacuation planning for dam disaster risk reduction (DRR). Aerial mapping provide current site conditions for better site assessment. Once the flood hazard map is produced, the evacuation planning could materialise through an actual field exercise to gauge its effectiveness, complementing and improving ground observation methods. A theoretical framework of this approach is significant as guidance for evacuation planning during an emergency.