Flood Risk Assessment in Philippine River Basins
Flood Risk Assessment in Philippine River Basins
201- 208
ISSN: 2186-2982 (P), 2186-2990 (O), Japan, DOI: [Link]
Geotechnique, Construction Materials and Environment
Christian Dominick Q. Alfonso1, Marloe B. Sundo*2, Richelle G. Zafra2, Perlie P. Velasco2, Jedidiah Joel C.
Aguirre2 and Marish S. Madlangbayan2
1
University of the Philippines Los Baños Foundation, Inc., Philippines; 2University of the Philippines Los
Baños, Philippines
*Corresponding Author, Received: 00 Oct. 2019, Revised: 00 Nov. 2019, Accepted: 00 Dec. 2019
ABSTRACT: Disaster risk management is vital in strengthening the resilience to and reduction of losses
brought by natural disasters. In Philippines where typhoons frequently occur, flood risk maps are essential for
the protection of communities and ecosystems in watersheds. This study created flood inundation maps with
climate change considerations under 2020 A1B1 and 2050 A1B1 scenarios for four major river basins in the
Philippines: the Agno, Cagayan, Mindanao, and Buayan-Malungon River Basins. From these maps, the most
vulnerable areas for each basin are identified using GIS mapping software. Sixteen inundation risk maps were
generated, four for each river basin, in terms of built-up areas, roads, bridges, and dams. Results showed that
the northern part of Cagayan River Basin and the central parts of the Agno and Mindanao River Basins are the
most flood-prone areas, while the Buayan-Malungon River Basin will have no significant inundation problems.
Suitable adaptation and mitigation options were provided for each river basin.
Keywords: Disaster risk reduction, Climate change adaption, Inundation, Risk Mapping
201
International Journal of GEOMATE, Dec., 2019 Vol.17, Issue 64, pp. 201- 208
could intensify due to global warming [9]. collection of water in areas that are usually dry [16].
An average of 20 tropical cyclones enters the The information obtained from this study can be
Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) annually, used in combination with other studies such as
which is greater than any other part of the world. Of socio-economic and environmental studies to better
these 20 tropical cyclones, eight to nine make forecast each location’s vulnerability.
landfall on the Philippine islands, and five are
potentially disastrous [10]. This prevalence of 2. INUNDATION RISK ASSESSMENT
typhoons in the country solidifies the need for
disaster risk reduction and management on both For the risk assessment, Quantum Graphic
local and national levels. Information System (QGIS) software v.2.16
Watersheds makeup 70% of the country’s total “Nødebo” was utilized to map areas of interest
land area, and are home to the country’s major (roads, irrigation, bridges and built-up areas), and
natural forests. Due to the richness of these river basin land-use area maps were used to create
ecosystems, human communities establish and the inundation maps for each river basin.
increase in these areas. Due to poor land-use
planning and deforestation, however, watersheds 2.1 Extraction of Vulnerability Information
have become extremely susceptible to climate
change [11]. The inundation map subjected to risk
The Agno and Cagayan River Basins are both assessment generated from previous studies using
located on Luzon, the largest island of the the 2020 and 2050 A1B1 climate change scenarios
Philippine archipelago. The Agno River Basin is the
is shown in Fig. 1 [17,18].
fifth largest basin in the country and is shared by
eight provinces. Aside from its agricultural
significance to the country, it has three major dams
that supply energy to most of Luzon [12]. The
Cagayan River Basin, located in northeastern
Luzon, is the largest river basin in the country and
is shared by 11 provinces. Compared to other
regions of the Philippines (from 2001 to 2009), the
regions of Cagayan are economically
underdeveloped. However, this area contains one of
the last remaining primary forests in the country
[13]. Both river basins receive frequent typhoons,
and flooding is a major problem in the surrounding
low-lying areas [12,13].
The Mindanao and Buayan-Malungon River
Basins are both located on Mindanao, the second
largest island in the Philippines. The Mindanao
River Basin is the second largest river basin in the
country, covering nine provinces with mineral
resources such as chromite, copper and gold. The Fig.1 Inundation map (red) of the Agno River Basin
Buayan-Malungon River Basin is a small basin (yellow)
adjacent to the Mindanao River and covers four
provinces. The island of Mindanao, located in the The A1B1 is a climate scenario defined by rapid
southern Philippines, is rarely hit with typhoons economic growth, a mid-century population peak,
unlike Luzon and Visayas in the northern and and social, cultural, and economic convergence in
central regions. However, climate change has
regions. The B1 part of the scenario describes the
caused a shift in these trends, with typhoon landfalls
becoming more frequent in Mindanao in the past use of clean and efficient technology and reduced
decade [14]. When typhoons do reach these areas, material use. Global solutions are made for
massive flooding ensues due to ecological and economic, environmental and social sustainability
social unpreparedness to this type of disaster [15]. [17]. In generating the risk maps, only the 2050
To protect the river basins and their associated A1B1 inundation was used, while the 2020 A1B1
communities, important steps must be taken to results were used to compare the changes in risk
reduce the impact of disasters. between the two time periods. It should be noted
This study aims to assess disaster risk using
that A1B1 is a description for a climate change
inundation maps that take climate change into
account. Flooding (or inundation) as defined in this scenario and that the 2020 A1B1 scenario would
study is the overflow of a body of water or mean a shorter return period and only useful for
202
International Journal of GEOMATE, Dec., 2019 Vol.17, Issue 64, pp. 201- 208
short term prediction while 2050 A1B1 scenario that will be affected by the flooding.
used longer return period and thus predicts flooding This study adapted methods used in risk
for a farther time in the future. Due to the study’s assessment by reference adapting the risk matrix
and its style of color coding to generate risk maps
interest in long term development and climate
[22] and the vulnerability assessment in North
change effects, the 2050 A1B1 period was Central Vietnam by reference, overlapping
considered in generating risk map. exposure and inundation maps to generate
While most flood studies previously used higher vulnerability [23]. This study focused on the
return periods for their inundation maps such as 10, exposure of the four river basins, concentrating on
50, or 100 years [19, 20], this study explored the land use areas (specifically built-up areas and roads)
possible effects of weather disturbance within a and return periods. The matrix used for the risk
shorter return period of two years. Due to the maps is shown in Table 1. The flood risk matrix
measures exposure chance, which is defined as the
Philippines’ location in the typhoon belt and annual
likelihood that a road, bridge, or building is exposed
occurrence of at least 20 tropical cyclones [10], or inundated at a given return period.
enough data can be generated with just a two-year
return period. The risk maps were then prepared Table 1 Flood risk matrix
with a high chance of occurrence in the year 2050
and have a 50% chance of exceedance. Exposure chance
To obtain the area of each flooded portion, the Very Low (2) Moderat High (4) Very
inundation maps for each river basin were overlaid Low (1) 21-40% e (3) 61-80% High (5)
0-20% 41-60% 81-100%
with their corresponding built-up area maps. The 0- 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90-
resulting combined map file was then analyzed, 1 - - - - - - - - 10
obtaining the areas corresponding to each time 0 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 0
203
International Journal of GEOMATE, Dec., 2019 Vol.17, Issue 64, pp. 201- 208
suggested projects in each river basin were 2050, with most towns experiencing increased
consolidated. Adaptation options used in past built-up inundation and road inundation (Table 2).
climate change and disaster risk management The total inundated built-up area risk in the Agno
studies and projects were obtained. Adaptation River Basin increased by 16.71%, while the total
options were proposed depending on factors such as inundated road risk increased by 24.69%. Though
cost, technical feasibility and benefits. Site there was only one dam in the Camiling
prioritization also depended on the vulnerability municipality that would get inundated by 2050
data obtained. A schedule for the proposed compared to the 2020 flood map, bridges showed a
adaptation options was created, with short- to long- 26.83% increase in inundation risk. In total, 40 out
term planning taken into consideration.
of the 72 municipalities are at risk of flooding.
Table 2 Overall flood risk assessment of the Agno
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
River Basin in the A1B1 scenarios
Two climate scenarios for the flood inundation
maps were used for this project: 2020 A1B1 and Risk (%)
2050 A1B1. A base return period of two years was Category The year
The year 2020
used for these inundation maps. Sixteen risk maps 2050
were generated, four for each river basin. Built-Up 29.28 34.17
Roads 15.52 19.36
3.1 Inundation Risk Maps Dams 17.19 18.75
Bridges 25.79 32.70
3.1.1 Agno River Basin
3.1.2 Cagayan River Basin
The inundation map for built-up areas in the
Agno River Basin is shown in Fig.2. The analysis In the Cagayan River Basin, a total of 122
showed a total of 60.44 km2 built-up area out of the municipalities were analyzed for inundation in the
176.87 km2 total river basin area is inundated. There four risk categories. Results showed that out of the
are several municipalities (towns) in the Agno that 470.05 km2 watershed area, 42.27 km2 of the built-
have high risk in terms of built-up inundation. Of up area is inundated (Fig.3).
the 72 total municipalities located in the area, 13
municipalities have an inundation risk percentage
of 50% or higher.
204
International Journal of GEOMATE, Dec., 2019 Vol.17, Issue 64, pp. 201- 208
Table 3 Overall flood risk assessment of the Table 4 Overall flood risk assessment of the
Cagayan River Basin in the A1B1 scenarios Mindanao River Basin in the A1B1 scenario
By 2050, inundation risk is expected to decrease Overall, 65 out of 104 municipalities in the river
by 30% in built-up areas, 12.33% in roads, 22.54% basin are at risk of flooding.
in bridges, and one less dam. Overall, 81 out of 122
municipalities in the Cagayan River Basin are at 3.1.4 Buayan-Malungon River Basin
risk of flooding.
In the BRB a total of 8 municipalities were
3.1.3 Mindanao River Basin analyzed for inundation in the four categories.
Results showed 0.01 km2 of the built-up area out of
A total of 104 municipalities were analyzed in 9.6 km2 in the river basin is inundated.
the Mindanao River Basin. The analysis showed
that 8.97 km2 of built-up area out of 316.26 km2 is
inundated.
205
International Journal of GEOMATE, Dec., 2019 Vol.17, Issue 64, pp. 201- 208
206
International Journal of GEOMATE, Dec., 2019 Vol.17, Issue 64, pp. 201- 208
(5,000L) provide effective means of storing non- Philippines Los Baños for providing the map data
potable water for households, while large tanks are utilized in this study.
effective for stormwater retention, reducing the
strain on groundwater extraction [29]. This makes 6. REFERENCES
the installation of rainwater tanks useful in both
times of flooding and drought. [1] United Nations International Strategy for
Disaster Reduction., 2009 UNISDR
3.2.6 Emergency plans Terminology on Disaster Risk Reduction.
United Nations. Geneva, Switzerland, 2009.
Emergency plans for disaster response in most [2] Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and
at-risk areas using the generated risk maps must be Astronomical Services Administration,
formulated and should involve five elements: alerts, Climate Change in the Philippines. Quezon
evacuations, emergency medical assistance, City, Metro Manila, Philippines, 2011.
protection of people and assets, and food and water [3] Mercer, J. Disaster Risk Reduction or Climate
Change Adaptation: Are We Reinventing the
supply [30].
Wheel? Journal of International Development
22, 2010, pp. 247-64.
4. CONCLUSION
[4] Birkmann J., Tetzlaff G., & Zentel K. (Eds.).,
Addressing the Challenge: Recommendations
The study utilized QGIS to analyze the A1B1
and Quality Criteria for Linking Disaster Risk
2020 and 2050 inundation maps, and generated risk
Reduction and Adaptation to Climate Change.
maps for four river basins in the Philippines (Agno,
DKKV Publication Series 38, Bonn, 2009.
Cagayan, Mindanao, and Buayan-Malungon River
[5] United States Agency for International
Basins) under four categories: built-up areas, roads,
Development., Introduction to Disaster Risk
dams, and bridges. The inundation was analyzed by
Reduction. Washington D.C., United States,
the municipality. This study demonstrates another
2011.
example of the capability of QGIS to analyze
[6] United Nations University Institute for
substantial amounts of information using batch
Environment and Human Safety., World Risk
processing.
Report 2015. Stuttgart, Germany: Universität
Inundation with a return period of two years was
Stuttgart, 2015.
considered. Using other return periods and climate
[7] Citizen’s disaster response center. Philippine
change flood maps could create more options in
Disaster Situation 2014. Retrieved from:
planning, such as using 50- or 100-year return
[Link]
periods to prepare for strong typhoons and heavy
disaster-report/, 2014.
precipitation. This study utilized exposure to
[8] Badilla, R. A., Barde, R. M., Davies, G., Duran,
generate risk maps. However, including other
A. C, Felizardo, J. C., Hernandez, E. C., Umali,
factors such as susceptibility or resilience can
R. S., Enhancing Risk Analysis Capacities for
greatly enhance the quality of the resulting risk
Flood, Tropical Cyclone Severe Wind and
maps.
Earthquake for the Greater Metro Manila Area,
It was observed that the Agno, Cagayan, and
Component 3 – Flood Risk Analysis. Australia:
Mindanao River Basins had problems with
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and
inundation around their main rivers. Riverside
Astronomical Services Administration,
municipalities, especially those located on river
Geoscience Australia, 2014.
mouths, experience the heaviest inundation.
[9] Asian Development Bank., Guidelines for
With the risk maps and areas taken into
climate proofing investment in the energy
consideration, several strategies were suggested to
sector. Metro Manila, Philippines: Asian
mitigate flooding in the four river basins. Possible
Development Bank, 2013.
locations and lengths were given for the
[10] Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and
construction of gabions, river groynes, SWIS, and
Astronomical Services Administration
road maintenance.
(PAGASA), Tropical Cyclone Information.
Strategies specifically designed for each
Retrieved from
municipality, can be gleaned from the results of this
[Link]
study, with focus on the more heavily-inundated
cal-cyclone-information, 2019.
key areas.
[11] Leary N., Conde C., Kulkarni J., Nyong A., Pulhin
J. (Eds.)., Climate Change and Vulnerability.
5. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Sterling, VA: Earthscan.
[12] Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The authors would like to thank the College of Agno River Integrated Management Plan. Quezon
Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the City, Metro Manila, Philippines, 2015.
207
International Journal of GEOMATE, Dec., 2019 Vol.17, Issue 64, pp. 201- 208
[13] Woodfields Consultants Inc., Formulation of [22] Leitao J.P., Almeida MDO C., Simões N.E., &
Integrated Cagayan River Basin Management and Martins A., Methodology for qualitative urban
Development Master Plan. Quezon City, Metro flooding risk assessment, 9th International
Manila, Philippines, 2012. Conference on Urban Drainage Modelling,
[14] Woodfields Consultants Inc., Mindanao River Basin Belgrade, 2012. retrieved from:
Integrated Management and Development Master [Link]
Plan Executive Summary Volume 1. Quezon City, sajt/9UDM/Presentations/117_PPT.pdf, 2013.
Metro Manila, Philippines, 2010. [23] Asian Development Bank, Guidelines for Climate
[15] David C. P. C., Racoma B. A. B., Gonzales J., Proofing Investment in the Transport Sector Road
Clutario M. V., A Manifestation of Climate Change? Infrastructure Projects. Metro Manila, Philippines:
A Look at Typhoon Yolanda in Relation to the Asian Development Bank, 2011.
Historical Tropical Cyclone Archive. Science [24] Asian Development Bank, Climate proofing ADB
Diliman 25:2, Jul-Dec 2013, pp. 79-86. investment in the transport sector: initial experience.
[16] IPCC, 2012: Glossary of terms. In: Managing the Metro Manila, Philippines: Asian Development
Risks of Extreme Events and Disasters to Advance Bank, 2014.
Climate Change Adaptation [Field, C.B., V. Barros, [25] Mcguinn, J., Stokenberga, L., Medarova-Bergstrom,
T.F. Stocker, D. Qin, D.J. Dokken, K.L. Ebi, M.D. K., Banfi, P., Volkery, A. & Hjerp, P. Climate
Mastrandrea, K.J. Mach, G.-K. Plattner, S.K. Allen, Proofing Cohesion Policy, Technical Guidance, A
M. Tignor, and P.M. Midgley (eds.)]. A Special report for DG Climate Action, August 2012.
Report of Working Groups I and II of the [26] Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Massachusetts
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Erosion and Sediment Control Guidelines for Urban
(IPCC). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, and Suburban Areas. Massachusetts Department of
UK, and New York, NY, USA, 2012, pp. 555-564. Environmental Protection, Bureau of Resource
[17] Formales, M.B., Flood Mapping of Mindanao River Protection. Northampton, M.A.: Franklin,
Basin, Philippines Based on 2020 A1B1 and 2050 Hampden, Hampshire Conservation Districts, 1997,
A1B1 Climate Change Scenarios using HEC—RAS p. 88.
and ArcGIS, Unpublished Undergraduate thesis – [27] Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Soils and
Civil Engineering, University of the Philippines, Los Water Management., Small Water Impounding
Baños, College, Laguna, 2016. Project (SWIP). Water Resources Management
[18] Templansa, D.L.A. Flood mapping of Cagayan river Division. Quezon City, Philippines, 2008.
basin, Philippines based on 2020 and 2050 A1B [28] The Voice of Renewables, Hydropower across the
climate change scenarios using HEC-RAS and Himalayas – challenges and opportunities. Retrieved
ARCGIS, Unpublished Undergraduate thesis – Civil from: [Link]
Engineering, University of the Philippines, Los himalayas/, 2016.
Baños, College Laguna, 2016. [29] Roaf S., Ed. Transforming markets in the built
[19] Juwono, P.T., Limantara, L.M., Amrie S., The Effect environment: adapting to climate change.
of Land Use Change to the Depth and Area of Architectural Science Review. 14a St Cross Street,
Inundation in the Bang Sub-Watershed-Malang- London EC1N 8XA, UK: Earthscan, Vol.53, No.1,
Indonesia. International Journal of GEOMATE, 2010.
Vol. 16, Issue 53, 2019, pp. 238-244. [30] Weissenberger S. & Chouinard O. (Eds.),
[20] Romali, N.S., Yusop, Z., Ismail, A.Z., Application Adaptation to Climate Change and Sea Level Rise
of HEC-RAS and ARC GIS for Floodplain Mapping the Case Study of Coastal Communities in New
in Segamat Town, Malaysia. Internation Journal of Brunswick, Canada. London, England: Springer
GEOMATE, Vol. 14, Issue 43, 2018, pp. 125-131. Science+Business Media, 2015.
[21] Anh T.N., Kha D.D., Duc D.D., Son N.T., Hydraulic
modelling for flood vulnerability assessment, case
study in river basins in North Central Vietnam. Copyright © Int. J. of GEOMATE. All rights reserved,
Climate Change-Induced Water Disaster and including the making of copies unless permission is
Participatory Information System for Vulnerability obtained from the copyright proprietors.
Reduction in North Central Vietnam (CPIS). Hanoi,
Vietnam, 2014.
208