Philippine flood hazard map presented during UN climate talks in Poland
Warsaw, Poland – In a side event of the UNFCCC COP 19 in Poland, the Philippines’ Climate Change Commission (CCC) shared the completion of the country’s first-ever, high-resolution flood hazard maps for the cities of Cagayan De Oro and Iligan which was created through Project Climate Twin Phoenix. Project Climate Twin Phoenix is implemented by the CCC and with support and technical assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Australian Government, to put in place a long term capacity development program for cities and municipalities by addressing disaster risks from climate change and other related natural hazards
In 2011, the cities of Cagayan De Oro and Iligan were devastated by rampaging flood waters brought by Tropical Storm Washi. Massive flooding and landslides due to the storm affected around 125,256 families or more than a million individuals and cost economic losses amounting to almost US$ 47M (NDRRMC, 2011).
“In general, the project aims to support the long-term recovery of these flood-affected areas by providing, among others, knowledge-based inputs to local governments that will guide its planning and decision making and in advancing policies that will support strategies and actions towards sustainable development in the area,” said CCC Vice Chairperson, Secretary Lucille Sering during her presentation.
For this purpose, Project Climate Twin Phoenix generated flood hazard maps for different rainfall scenarios which showed the extent of the flooded area, the depth of flood waters, and the period of flooding, among others. The flood hazard maps’ 3D rendering also provides a visualization of future flood events using data gathered from state-of-the-art technology (LIDAR, satellite imagery, most advanced open-source flood modeling software) and validated by field surveys and river measurements and characterizations.
“After the storm Washi, and now the recent devastation of typhoon Yolanda in my country, we are stepping up in our commitment to create more adaptive and resilient cities, towns and communities by leading action on and providing support for better local preparedness programs to ensure the safety of everyone in the face of increasing disasters and disruptions brought about by climate change”, Sering ended.