Strengthening local government to enhance flood risk management:A case study of Xay district, Lao PDR.

Abstract

The Xay district of Lao PDR is vulnerable to flooding because around 80% of the total geographic area consists of mountains, rivers, and tributaries. While the district has limited coping capability. Therefore, strengthening the local government to enhance flood risk management was investigated in the present study with the following four objectives. Desk research, on-site observation, in-depth interviews, and expert focus group were used for data collection. The study found that local people always suffer from flooding in the Xay district almost every year because the district locates on a high mountain surrounded by canals and a high population along the riverbank both midstream and downstream. Local government has no authority and capability to manage flood risk. Decentralization together with capacity building for the local government officers is highly recommended. The finding suggested that the local government may improve all 26 LRFRM factors in the Xay district (especially for eight missing factors and twenty-two weak factors). The study suggested how to strengthen 26 LRFRM factors that cover all aspects throughout the Xay district. Moreover, the local government provided specific plans and policies, structural methods (infrastructure to improve discharge capacity, meander shortcuts, and reservoirs), and non-structural methods (urban planning, law enforcement, and early warning systems). This study showed four contributions. First, this theoretical contribution's significance is how it updates existing theory and introduces practices to strengthen the LRFRM. Second, the policy contribution encouraged accountability, and decentralization of the allocation of technology to improve training at the local levels. Third, (LRFRM)’s model for sustainable practices by the local government in Xay District. It is important to flood awareness of how the local government-based preparedness activities contribute to an increase in locals' readiness levels in the Xay district. Fourth, the contribution to the practice by exploring the suitable methods for LRFRM in the Xay district. Acts as a representative for many districts of Lao PDR that have the capacity to adopt and adapt to similar conditions. The study suggested the recommendation of six actions before the flood, eight actions during the flood, and six actions after the flood of local government practice for the LRFRM concept.