The impact of policy and national Laws on Flood Risk Management
The following are the main causes of flooding in Jamaica:
Flooding is also a natural feature of drainage systems and of rivers and streams. It occurs when drainage channels are filled and the rivers and streams can no longer accommodate the excess water generated by severe weather conditions. The drain channels then overtop their natural or artificial banks and water enters the surrounding lands to cause flooding (ODPEM, 2019).
Additionally, human activities, which damage the environment, for example – sand mining, deforestation, and poor garbage disposal, increase the risk of flooding.
The need for policies and legislations
Traditionally, industry practitioners would approach flooding from the perspective of designing defense schemes, however, with the effects of climate and socio-economic changes, a shift towards an integrated flood risk management is needed. This calls for a combination of the traditional flood defense options in addition to policies that focus on the accommodation of water and sustainable measures to protect communities and those living in them (Verweij, et al., 2021), (Sayers, 2012). Policies play an important role in flood risk management. Along with the appropriate legislation, polices will be at the core of flood management decisions and the level of acceptable risk that stakeholders will tolerate when considering the impact and cost of future flood events. (Sayers, et al., 2021).
The role of government agencies and local authorities
For government policy and legislation on flood risk management to be effective, a number of ministries, local authorities, and government agencies have to be involved. The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Water Resources Authority (WRA), and possibly NEPA, would be a part of the team drafting policies. After a policy has been established, a government minister would need to propose an ACT or reference existing legislations, such that attention to flood risk management can be taken seriously.
For good Flood Risk management (FRM), Local Authorities (Parish Councils), the National Works Agency (NWA), the UDC, and others would have to be committed to protecting people and property, thereby ensuring that all proposed infrastructure designs, developments, and upgrades give consideration to flooding. Government policies and laws are critical to FRM, however, if the various Agencies and Local Authorities do not demand adherence from the public, or even follow the policies themselves, then little attention will be given, and we will only be left to consider clean-up projects and disaster relief.
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Reference
ICE, 2016. Land drainage and flood defense responsibilities. Fifth ed. London SW1P 3AA: ICE Publishing.
ODPEM, 2019. Floods. [Online] Available at: https://www.odpem.org.jm/floods/ [Accessed 14 September 2023].
Sayers, P. B., 2012. Flood Risk: Planning, design, and management of flood defence infrastructure. London: ICE Publishing.
Sayers, P. et al., 2021. Towards adaptive asset management in flood risk management: A policy framework. Water Security, Issue 12.
UN, 2018. 68% of the world population projected to live in urban areas by 2050, says UN. [Online] Available at: https://www.un.org/development/desa/en/news/population/ [Accessed 22 October 2022].
Verweij, S., Busscher, T. & Brink, M., 2021. Effective policy instrument mixes for implementing integrated flood risk management: An analysis of the ‘Room for the River’ program. Environmental Science and Policy, Issue 116, pp. 204-212.
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Construction Project Manager | Chartered Civil Engineer
1 年Somehow it feels like a day to comment on this..... Based on the geographical layout of Jamaica, many areas may be flooded in the next few days, and this may seem normal to many. However, with many of us now realizing that climate change is real, we will see many cases like this one at more regular intervals. The obvious results will include but are not limited to, damage to property, and damage to road infrastructure. It’s clear that we need to design resilience and safety into our road infrastructure to prevent washout that may result in potholes after a rain event. And it is not safe when water flows across a major highway (north) resulting in hydroplaning. Therefore, flood risk management (FRM) is serious business and those responsible for maintaining our roadways and infrastructure should ensure that resilient designs are backed by a good maintenance program, thereby extending the life of these assets.
Tailings Manager/Senior Projects Manager
1 年Unfortunately, the potential for more frequent and more severe flooding has increased exponentially recently due to climate departure. Climate departure has been declared for Jamaica as at 2023. Climate departure means that the adverse climate conditions experienced this summer could become the baseline, or in other words be among the best summer weather conditions we experience going forward in Jamaica. This, coupled with the horrifically slow and lumbering response of Jamaica's system of governance to making changes to benefit the country, is a recipe for potential further catastrophic disaster. It is only with a new type of governance, built on the rule of law and order, devoid of corruption, with a strong adherence to science and disciplined, consistent execution, that we can hope to combat the unique challenges ahead.