Controlling nature

In the aftermath of the unprecedented flooding in Naga City and its neighboring municipalities, many on Facebook have expressed concern that our country is ill-equipped to address such natural disasters. Driven by this sentiment, I embarked on a research to explore this issue in greater depth, which has led to the writing of this piece.

Evidence shows that countries prone to flooding can effectively manage massive floods, even though flooding is a natural phenomenon. Countries like the Netherlands, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Bangladesh have implemented strategies combining infrastructures, technologies, and policies to control floods. While most of these examples are from developed countries, Bangladesh stands out as a developing country that has achieved similar success. This erstwhile impoverished country shows that it’s possible even for countries like the Philippines.

These successes result from a combination of large-scale infrastructure, community-based programs, and advanced technology. Their policies integrate flood control into urban and environmental planning adapting to the unique challenges of each country.

In the Netherlands, where much of the land lies below sea level, centuries of flood management have led to one of the world’s most advanced systems of dams, sluices, locks, dikes, and storm surge barriers. Their “Room for the River” program designates areas where rivers can safely overflow relieving pressure on dikes and protecting cities. Continuous water level monitoring and predictive modeling further enable early warnings and proactive action.

Japan, facing frequent typhoons, earthquakes, and heavy rainfall, has built underground flood channels. Tokyo’s Metropolitan Area Outer Underground Discharge Channel is an enormous system that channels excess water away from urban areas during storms. The integration of sensors and real-time data supports quick and precise decisions on when and where to divert water, while flood zones, levees, and rainwater storage systems help safeguard cities.

Bangladesh, a delta country prone to monsoons, river flooding, and rising sea levels, has developed comprehensive flood warning systems. Advanced forecasting and early warnings have significantly reduced flood casualties, and local communities are trained in flood preparedness and adaptation. The country has also built cyclone shelters, elevated homes, and embankments to protect vulnerable areas.

Singapore, with intense rainfall due to its tropical climate, experiences frequent flash floods. Its sophisticated drainage system includes widened canals and detention ponds to manage excess rainwater, alongside policies promoting stormwater management through green roofs, permeable pavements, and rain gardens. Its “Active, Beautiful, Clean Waters Programme” integrates aesthetics, water quality, and flood control for a holistic approach to water management.

In the UK, London’s Thames Barrier protects the city from tidal surges and river flooding. It consists of several movable gates across the River Thames that can be raised to block high tides or surges from the North Sea. In rural areas, the UK has invested in restoring natural landscapes, like wetlands and woodlands, which absorb rainwater, slow river flows, and reduce flood peaks downstream. This approach allows water to be “held back” naturally, lessening the flood risk for downstream communities.

All these interventions fall into two essential categories: drainage systems and flood control. Drainage systems handle regular water flow to prevent waterlogging, erosion, and small-scale flooding. Flood control measures, on the other hand, target large-scale flooding from extreme weather, employing levees, dams, floodwalls, and retention basins to protect communities.

While the Netherlands, Japan, Singapore, and the UK benefit from substantial resources and advanced technologies, Bangladesh demonstrates that practical and cost-effective solutions are attainable. Through a combination of early warning systems, community training, raised homes, flood-resistant crops, and elevated shelters, Bangladesh has successfully mitigated the impacts of extreme flooding.

It is time for the government of the Philippines, nongovernmental organizations, and civil society to draw on these models, especially the Bangladesh experience, to strengthen our flood control efforts and protect communities from the growing risks of climate change.

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Nono Felix worked for an international NGO as a corporate planning, monitoring, and evaluation manager, covering 13 Asian countries.