Closing the Gap Between Science and Practice to Reduce Human Losses in Hydro-Meteorological Disasters

Future population increase is expected to be concentrated in urban areas. The resultant urban expansion further increases both potential hazard and vulnerability to hydro-meteorological disasters. This is unique to hydro-meteorological disasters (especially flooding) and not the case for solid Earth events such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions where the occurrence is independent of urbanization. The basic reasons for disaster occurrence in developing countries, especially in urban areas, are poverty and governance. They are socio-economic and cultural problems which can be solved only by an integrated approach in which all the stakeholders and administrative sectors have to work together while science and technology play a supporting role.

For the reduction of human losses by natural disasters, early warning, evacuation and preparedness supported by accurate forecasts play a key role. Hydro-meteorological disasters are in a better position in this respect than other disasters as their forecasting technology is much advanced. Nevertheless the capability of forecasting is not well utilized in local practice for civil protection from hydro-meteorological hazards. This is the gap between science and practice. The gap can be filled within the framework of integrated flood management where the local ownership of flood forecasts should be promoted, as tried by ICHARM (one of UNESCO Category II centers), to make warning an integral part of the total community management against disasters.