Technologies for Water-related Disaster Management (Session 1.3.2)

1. Technologies for Water-related Disaster Management (Session 1.3.2) Session 1.3.2 was held from 1100 to 1300 at Feshane 4. It was attended by more than the full capacity of the room. Mr. Taniguchi, Vice-Minister for Engineering Affairs, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) of Japan, opened the session with his remarks hoping that the deliberation of the session would lead to the reduction of water-related disasters of the world.

2. Technologies for Water-related Disaster Management (Session 1.3.2) • Six technologies to cope with water-related disasters were explained briefly. They included the followings: • Soda-mattress riverbank protection measures • Flood forecasting and warning system based on satellite precipitation data (IFAS) • Glacier melting disasters and its adaptation means • Flood Forecasting, Warning and Response Systems (FEWS) • Seasonal forecasting in Bangladesh • Natural system

3. Technologies for Water-related Disaster Management (Session 1.3.2) Research space Expand Application Operational time Keep using (improve) People’s Benefit

4. Technologies for Water-related Disaster Management (Session 1.3.2) • These varieties of technologies were used as examples of technologies, when the audience tries to answer the key questions. • They are: • 1. How should we enhance the use of existing and new technologies to manage disasters induced by climate change and population growth? • What kinds of technologies are needed? Why? • How can we have decision makers recognize importance of technologies? • 2. How should we incorporate technologies for minimizing economic and human loss into domestic institution and culture? • How can we introduce new technologies to and make them rooted in each country? • How can we sustain local tradition or culture against disaster?

5. Technologies for Water-related Disaster Management (Session 1.3.2) • The audience was asked not to ask technical questions, but, after understanding the technologies presented, answer the key questions. • Inputs from the audience were: • Required software should be obtained through a network free of charge if it iws to be widely used. • Access to satellite data should be secured. • A wide gap between satellites technology and local user should be bridged. • Not only satellite data, but ordinary rainfall measurement data should be utilized. • To make decision makers to understand the importance of a technology, cost effectiveness should be shown to them • Government, academia, and local people should properly share the responsibility of disaster prevention. • When involving local people a language understandable to them should be used. • Clearly show new technologies’ benefit to the decision/policy makers. • Information on best practices should be shared among societies.

6. Technologies for Water-related Disaster Management (Session 1.3.2) Major issues to be bridged Conventional and new technologies to cope with water-related disasters should be well-combined. A conventional technology was innovative when it was created: Among present new technologies, only good ones survive a test of time and become a part of a culture. People tend to be attracted to cutting edge technologies: The resources for developing a new technology and those for maintaining/utilizing it should be well-balanced. Decision/policy makers should be well-informed of the current situation, causes, forecasts, and effects of disasters. Fast and accurate information is crucial to decision makers especially during disaster response. Proper prediction of changes in disaster situations is necessary to formulate appropriate policies against disasters.

7. Technologies for Water-related Disaster Management (Session 1.3.2) Actions / initiatives to help the bridging process Promote the wise combination of new technologies and existing ones to manage water-related disaster risk reduction. The application of such technologies should take into account the regional characteristics, as well as available financial and human resources. Accessibility to the new technologies and data created should be secured. Information on best practices should be shared among societies. Hand local and indigenous knowledge on disaster management down to the next generation. Locally inherited technologies could be more suitable for the area after proved to be effective for generations. Those indigenous technologies are often cost effective and adaptable to changing local conditions. . Provide to decision/policy makers essential disaster information in a timely manner with help of appropriate technologies. Clearly show new technologies’ benefit to the decision/policy makers.

8. Technologies for Water-related Disaster Management (Session 1.3.2) Sound bytes Accessible Technologies Sustainable Technologies

9. Session 1.3.2Recommendations, Proposals, Commitments & Initiatives • Promote the wise combination of new technologies and existing ones to manage water-related disaster risk reduction. • Put the priority on sustainability and accessibility of technologies, both new and conventional, when their effectiveness is considered.