Spatio temporal analysis and modelling of meteorological drought for the state of Tamilnadu, India using Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) and GIS

Vaani N. and Porchelvan P.

The study of long term meteorological drought for monsoon dependent countries like India is very essential for planners and policy makers to develop various strategies to improve the agricultural productivity in future. In recent years, an average of nine farmer suicides per day is reported which indicates the severity of the problem due to increasing drought prone areas in India. Spatio-temporal analysis of meteorological drought for Tamilnadu state in India was attempted in the present study using one of the widely used indices called Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) with 30 years of rainfall data (1980-2009) as input and year wise drought intensity maps were prepared using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). It was found that the year 2002 is the worst affected year as more than 20 districts have experienced extreme drought conditions due to insufficient rainfall. It was noticed from drought intensity maps that extreme drought conditions do not occur all of a sudden in one year and occurs over a period of at least 2-3 years. This necessitates the government to be alert and to take suitable preventive measures whenever the trace of severe or extreme drought conditions is felt in a year. Modelling of SPI using rainfall deviation as independent variable was also attempted using regression analysis as strong positive correlation exists between SPI and rainfall deviation with Pearson’s correlation coefficient of above 0.98 was obtained for most of the districts. Second order and third order polynomial models were fitted for various districts and state respectively with R2 values of above 0.8. The developed regression models can be used to determine well in advance, the district wise or state as a whole, the level of dryness or wetness in future years which will facilitate planners and policy makers to take suitable steps for drought preparedness and mitigation.

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ASEAN and Disaster Governance: Contending Modalities of Disaster Preparedness

Alan Hao Yang

In Southeast Asia, much attention has been paid to the study of emerging environmental challenges as well as to disaster governance initiatives. Following this trend, this paper discusses the dynamics of ASEAN disaster governance in accordance with ASEAN’s practice of cooperation on disaster preparedness. It argues that the regional disaster governance is based on the idea of “resilience.” In order to achieve regional resilience and effective governance, ASEAN and member states utilize various modalities of regional disaster preparedness to address their current vulnerabilities. This paper identifies the national, regional and local practice of disaster preparedness and explains how ASEAN can enhance itself as a disaster-resilient community.

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Urban Flood Management through Volunteered Geographic Information

Koo Jeehee, Lee Sanghoon and Lee Byungjae

Volunteered geographic information can be very powerful in crucial disaster situations and it was proven in many cases9,14. Responding measures based on fast updating of contextual information should be thought of in advance. However, current disaster information portals focus on the accuracy of prediction without considering the prompt and flexible response. For the purpose of utilizing the geographic information efficiently in response to the urban flood, the purpose of urban flood response scenario should be prepared by type. Moreover, to maximize the usability of portal, the urban flood response portal scenario by sector should be classified depending on the subjects who use the portal. This study proposed urban flood response and information sharing portal prototypes through the existing data and community mapping. Furthermore, this study established a user participative geographical information portal for urban flood prevention in order to utilize the geographic information responding to the urban floods. Urban Flood Response Portal Scenario is classified into identification of the extent of damages, minimization of the loss of human lives, and efficiency in facilities management. This study conducts community mapping and based on this, demonstratively establishes an urban flood prevention and sharing portal in Bangbae-dong, Seoul.

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