New Water Policy and Practice Volume 1, Number 2 - Spring 2015 | Page 67

Integrated Flood Risk Management, Lessons from the Rhine and Danube for South Asia

many industrial sectors, including the food, pharmaceutical, and textile manufacturers,
rely on large volumes of water for production of food, medicines and clothing, and
therefore are exposed to the risk of floods which damage critical infrastructure and
contain excessive amounts of chemicals and sediments making water unsuitable
for industrial use. As such, floods have the ability to impact revenue generation of
businesses. At the aggregate level, floods can impact exports of goods and services,
which in turn affect overall employment and income levels. Meanwhile, water is
essential in the production of energy and floods can damage energy infrastructure
further reducing economic output. Therefore, the implementation of integrated
flood risk management models that incorporate both structural and non-structural
means enhances the resilience of economies in the region to flood risks. However, it
is very costly, financially to implement integrated flood risk management plans as it
involves mapping and analysing of areas at risk of flooding, high-maintenance costs of
developing structural measures such as dikes, high costs of restoring waterways, and
floodplains to their natural states and compensation costs of relocating people away
from areas of high flood risks. With the region developing, the national governments
are likely to continue to seek support in implementing these projects.

Conclusions

T

he South Asia region is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change
flood events. According to the Asia Development Bank, India along with
Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and the Maldives would lose almost
10% of its gross domestic product by 2100 if no action is taken on climate change.
This could endanger stability and security in the region, potentially having a direct
impact on European interests as well as international peace and security. To reduce the
vulnerability of people, infrastructure and economies in the region from flooding risks
European best practices in integrated flood risk management can be implemented.
From the two case studies of the Rhine and Danube, there is a need to simultaneously
reduce flooding risks to life and economic assets while restoring natural ecosystems.
In addition, solidarity is required in managing transboundary flood risks as negative
actions from one region can adversely impact another region which in turn impacts
regional stability.

Bibliography
ADB. 2014. “Assessing the Costs of Climate Change and Adaptation in South Asia.”
http://www.adb.org/publications/assessing-costs-climate-change-and-adaptationsouth-asia
ASEM. 2014. “3rd ASEM Sustainable Development Dialogue: Water Management—
Fostering Prosperity and Stability Through Interregional Cooperation.” http://www.
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