Chapter 1
The Problem and Its Setting
Introduction
With some estimates placing 60% of its geographical
area and 74% of its population as subject to multiple dangers,
including floods, cyclones, droughts, earthquakes, tsunamis, and
landslides, the Philippines are highly susceptible to calamities
brought on by natural disasters. As a result of powerful cyclones
and lots of rain, the nation is quite vulnerable to flooding.
Land-use changes like logging and urbanization increase the
hazards of flooding (Climate Change Knowledge Portal). Every
region of our nation experienced floods for a variety of reasons,
therefore effective flood management is essential to preventing
and reducing the effects of this natural occurrence. And one of
the flood management strategies to be used is building flood
control, which aids in regulating water flow and prevents it from
destroying properties and taking lives.
In addition, for our society, flood control has always
been a crucial issue. Even though dwelling near rivers, lakes,
and coastal locations gave people access to reliable harvests,
vital trade routes, and transit routes, water has also posed a
threat to destroy those settlements in a matter of hours (Dam
Easy, 2021). Also, it is crucial to analyze the historical and
paleoflood records to offer flood control that is appropriate for
the location. And settlements and economic activity in flood
plain zones must be strictly regulated to reduce the loss of life
and property in the case of floods that is why flood proofing
needs to be done to reduce casualties and property damage
[byjus.com]. However, flood control structures do not eliminate
risk. Flooding may occur if the design water levels are exceeded.
If poorly designed, constructed, operated, or maintained, these
structures can increase risk by providing a false sense of
security and encouraging settlements or economic activity in
hazard-prone areas (Fact Sheet Addressing Climate Change Impacts
On Infrastructure).
The goal of this study is to determine which technique
of flood management is most successful for reducing flooding
along the Minanga River in Casiguran, Aurora. This could assist
in assuring the safety of residents in flood plain areas and
assisting the government in determining the optimal flood
mitigation strategy for that area.
Background of the Study
Flooding is the overflow of water onto typically dry ground.
Floods can occur because of strong rains, incoming waves from the
ocean, rapid snowmelt, or the failure of dams or levees. Floods
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can happen suddenly or gradually over a long period of time,
lasting for days, weeks, or even longer (Severe Weather 101).
More so, floods are common, naturally occurring phenomena that
are hard to stop but can be controlled to lessen their effects on
society and the economy. Flooding puts lives in danger and causes
property destruction (Mohanty et al., 2020), properties including
real estate, homes, office buildings, transportation
infrastructure, and more. Additionally, according to reports, it
is the main cause of deaths across the globe. Even though 6.8
million people died because of floods in the 20th century, many
people around the world are still ignorant of their main causes.
Furthermore, according to a World Meteorological Organization
(WMO) report, the uncontrollable effects of flooding cost the
lives of roughly 3000 people and caused suffering for 17 million
others worldwide at the beginning of 2002. And, according to
various estimates, Asia has seen the most flood damage of any
continent, accounting for 50% of all fatalities in the final
quarter of the 20th century (Haldar, 2013). Therefore, it is
essential to be aware of how flooding might affect all facets of
life.
In line with this, when compared to other sources of
hazards, such tsunamis, weather-related hazards were more
prevalent. Whether or not this is what we expected from global
warming, there is not yet enough statistical evidence to support
this claim. Regional long-term increases in flood amplitude and
frequency are not yet proven, despite a series of devastating
floods in 2011, including those in Australia, Thailand, and
Pakistan. Additionally, the factors that cause flood events are
interrelated and complicated. However, those who live close to
geographical areas like coastal regions, river basins, and
lakeshores are typically those who are most at risk from cyclones
brought on by strong winds and storm surges. In addition to
these, environmental/physical land attributes including
vegetation, soil type, and other characteristics of drainage
basins have a detrimental impact on flood consequences (Modarres
et al., n.d.)
There are many places in society where human involvement has
made things safer and better. One could contend that building
structures specifically for the goal of preventing or minimizing
flooding-related damage is the most crucial intervention. By
using either hard or soft engineering techniques, flood control
is the process of minimizing the effects that flooding has on
towns, villages, and other communities (Liu et al., 2020). Some
flood control techniques date back to ancient times. These
techniques include creating flood ways, terracing hillsides to
restrict flow downwards, and growing vegetation to capture extra
water (man-made channels to divert floodwater). Building levees,
dikes, dams, reservoirs, or retention ponds to hold excess water
during floods is another option (IWA Publishing).
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Furthermore, flood risk management is essential because it
can lessen the financial damages brought on by flooding and
waterlogging. Reasonable flood risk analysis can offer essential
data for developing strategies and modifying plans (Li et al.,
2016). To prevent flooding that overflows on the road and makes
it impossible for Casiguran inhabitants to travel through, this
study would want to suggest a particular method of flood
management for the Minanga River in Casiguran, Aurora.
Additionally, this study will contrast several flood management
strategies to determine which is best for the Minanga River in
Casiguran, Aurora. Knowing the design considerations and the
local flood-causing factors can help with the analysis of the
best flood control strategy for the Minanga River, Casiguran,
Aurora.
Additionally, according to the partial observations in the
Minanga River, Casiguran, Aurora, one of the factors that
contribute to flooding in the area is continues rainfall and the
incomplete flood slope protection that is connected to Minanga
River, Casiguran, Aurora. According to the residents who
experience the flood, since it is the only route to the town, it
prohibits light vehicles from passing through. This problem
limits them to acquire things at the market that they need
throughout the storm. Thus, this study aims to analyze flood
control that is suitable for Minanga River, Casiguran, Aurora.
Residents of Casiguran, Aurora might benefit from this if floods
prevent them from passing through the road leading into town.
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Conceptual Framework
This chapter of the research study discusses the conceptual
framework that the research will conduct.
INPUT
Data Gathering
Causes of flood on Minanga River in
Casiguran Aurora
Review and observe the severity of flood,
rainfall, and topographic data on Minanga
River in Casiguran, Aurora
PROCESS
Interview and analysis of data from PAG-
ASA, DPWH and MDRRMC of Casiguran, Aurora,
and actual site investigation on Minanga
River in Casiguran, Aurora
OUTPUT
Effective flood control for Minanga River
in Casiguran, Aurora
Figure 1
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The Input Process Output (IPO) model is shown in Figure 1.
It contains all the resources and data needed for the process,
along with a guidance on how to analyze data from various
institutions to come up with an efficient flood management method
for the Minanga River in Casiguran, Aurora. Figure 1 shows the
concept model. It demonstrates the method for analyzing and
planning an effective flood control system for the Minanga River
in Casiguran, Aurora. Also, what are the local flood-causing
variables and considerations that should be considered while
designing flood control.
For input, there is the data collection necessary to
determine what information needs to be acquired. Typically, all
the information listed in the statement of the problem is
specified here. For the process, it involves the data gathering
strategy, site investigation, and analysis that were done. The
output is the outcome of the input once the procedure has been
completed.
Statement of the Problem
The statement of the problem is covered in this section
wherein the purpose of this study is to identify the causes of
floods and workable flood control measures for the Minanga River
in Casiguran, Aurora. Specially, it seeks to answer the
following questions:
1. What are the design considerations for flood control?
2. What factors causing the floods at the Minanga River in
Casiguran, Aurora?
3. What would be the most appropriate flood control method for
the Minanga River in Casiguran, Aurora?
Scope and Limitation of the Study
This section discusses the scope and limitation of the study
whereas the goal of this study is to determine the best flood
prevention method for the Minanga River in Casiguran, Aurora.
Based on a few considerations and elements, studies from 2012 up
to the present will be utilized to analyze the effectiveness of
flood management. To build an effective flood control system for
the Minaga River in Casiguran, Aurora, the study will concentrate
on analyzing the elements that contribute to flooding and design
considerations. The researchers will carry out an on-site
examination, collect data through interviews with the MDRRMC of
Minanga, Casiguran, Aurora as to what are the causes of flood in
the area, and the PAG-ASA for rainfall data to develop an
efficient flood control for the Minanga River. The researchers
will also consult with DPWH to learn more about their design
considerations for flood protection in various locations.
Furthermore, no software will be used in this study to design the
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flood control, as well as no structural details for the flood
control, such as the number of bars, slope height, dimensions, or
other particulars, will be specified. However, the research will
analyze the most practical kind of flood management for the area.
It will also demonstrate how unique location-specific flood
control design effectiveness is influenced by aspects like flood
cause and design consideration. Thus, the study will just compare
4 types of flood control for Minanga River in terms of its cost,
design, and feasibility.
Significance of the Study
The significance of the study is discussed in this section
since it aims to ensure that residents of Casiguran, Aurora, do
not encounter any trouble when there is flooding on the road due
to heavy rain. This study was conducted to benefits the
following:
To the Researchers. This study expanded the understanding of the
factors that contribute to flood control as well as the design
factors that should be considered. The researchers were able to
gain a deeper grasp of flood control and its architecture as a
result.
To the Government. The benefits of this study to the government
are to determine the most suitable slope protection to be used
for different types of rivers that are flooded in different
locations and to know the factor causing flood in specific area.
To the Community. This study will be beneficial to the community
of Casiguran, Aurora to be reminders to them what are the
different factors that cause flooding in their area and to know
how to lessen the flashflood. This study can be an instrument to
conduct a project in Minanga River in Casiguran, Aurora and solve
the problem of flooding in the area.
To the Future Researchers. The ideas offered may be used as
reference data when performing new research or evaluating the
reliability of earlier findings in the same field. This study
will also act as a cross-reference for them, providing background
information or an overview of the study of effective flood
control.
Definition of Terms
1. Floodplain - A region of land near to a river or stream that
is typically flat is called a floodplain. It extends from
the river’s banks to the valley’s outer reaches.
2. High Magnitude Flood - A flood that lasts longer has a
greater flood magnitude. Moreover, floods greater magnitudes
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will be seen at higher peak discharges. Although the
magnitude value compares the flood volume to the flood of
record, volumes will be larger from larger watersheds (other
things being equal). River and watershed size have no
bearing on the magnitude number.
3. Flood Mitigation - Flood mitigation lowers the probability
of a structure to sustain damage from flooding and lessens
the impact of any such damage. Planning and zoning, managing
floodplains, discouraging development in areas at high risk
of flooding, and offering outreach and education are a few
examples of mitigation measures that a community might
implement. Purchasing flood insurance, raising buildings, or
moving entirely outside of the floodplain are a few examples
of mitigation strategies that homeowners can use.
4. Flood Control/Flood Control Structures - All techniques used
to lessen or stop the negative effects of flood waters are
referred to as flood control. Installation of rock berms,
rock ripraps, and sandbags, maintaining normal slopes with
vegetation or applying soil cement on steeper slopes, and
construction or expansion of drainage channels are some of
the common flood control techniques. Levees, dikes, dams,
and retention or detention basins are additional techniques.
5. Paleo flood - Paleo flooding is a phenomenon that can be
seen in the geologic record at different spatial and
temporal scales. Large-scale freshwater outbursts caused by
glacial ice melt or freshwater bodies being breached by high
sea levels were the two main causes of this phenomenon.
6. Flood - A flood is when there is an excessive amount of
water, and it covers normally dry land. The science of
hydrology includes studying floods. They are the most
frequent and pervasive type of severe weather in nature.
Flooding can cover anything from a few inches of water to
several feet, floods can have a wide variety of appearances.
They may also start out slowly and then pick up speed.
7. Natural Disaster - When a natural agent (such as a flood,
mudslide, earthquake, avalanche, or drought) manifests
itself with unusual intensity and the usual precautions to
prevent these damages are either ineffective or impractical,
a natural disaster has occurred.
8. Effective Flood Control – Effective flood risk management is
collaborative, future-facing and considers local needs.
Resilient communities prioritize and invest in natural
resources, engineered solutions and insurance to withstand
and recover from flood.
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9. Climate Change - Long-term changes in temperature and weather
patterns are referred to as climate change. These changes
could be caused by natural processes, like variations in the
solar cycle. But since the 1800s, human activities—primarily
the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas—have been
the primary cause of climate change. Climate change
influences the water that circulates around the planet or our
water cycle. In general, wet areas are becoming wetter, and
dry areas are becoming drier. Intense downpours are also
occurring more frequently, which increases the likelihood of
flooding.
10. Fatalities - a disaster resulting in death
11. Hazard - an unavoidable danger or risk, even though often
foreseeable
12. Detrimental Impact - any loss of harm suffered in person or
property in matters related to public health, public safety,
protection of the natural environment and surrounding land
uses, but does not include potential effects of new
subdivisions, buildings, or developments
13. Vegetation - plants considered collectively, especially
those found in a particular area or habitat
14. Crucial - decisive or critical, especially in the success or
failure of something
15. Casualties - a person or thing badly affected by an event or
situation
16. Design Considerations - areas that may affect the
requirements, design, or operational concept of a system and
should be part of the systems engineering process throughout
the acquisition life cycle.
Reference
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