Flood Damage Assessment: A Case Study in Bakan and Phnom Kravanh Districts, Pursat Province, Cambodia

Abstract

Flood is still a major climate hazard in Pursat province, a potential province for agricultural development in Cambodia. The consequences of this water-related disaster are social problems such as poverty, food insecurity and health problems, which indirectly prolong the growth of the country’s economy. To propose a proper flood mitigation measure, flood damage assessment is considered as a fundamental step to implement so that the value of elements at risk is initially evaluated. The objectives of this research are to assess flood damage in agriculture and affected people in Bakan and Phnom Kravanh districts, Pursat province from 2000 to 2014, to develop flood damage probability curve in 2014 and to estimate potential flood damage in 2030 and 2050 associated with socio-economic development. The study is divided into three parts 1) flood damage assessment using satellite datasets in Google Earth Engine (GEE); 2) hydrological and economic analysis; and 3) flood mitigation plans. The study shows a better correlation between maximum monthly observed discharge and maximum monthly water extent from GEE (R2 = 0.59) in Bakan and Phnom Kravanh districts from 2000 to 2014. The annual average damage in all sectors in 2014 is estimated to be 1.66 million USD in which around 90% is in Agriculture and 10% is on the affected people meaning that the affected area is in the rural area. The annual average damage in all sectors in 2030 and 2050 in the second scenario is estimated to be 3.55 and 8.99 million USD respectively, while the proposed mitigation plan can reduce around 36% of the total damages in both years. This result can be used as the basic information to support the government policy in the future regarding the mitigation plans to reduce flood damages.