“SIS 09 - Integrated Methods and Models for Assessing Coastal Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change in the Pacific Countries” Presenter: Roshni.

“SIS 09 - Integrated Methods and Models for Assessing Coastal Vulnerability and Adaptation to

Climate Change in the Pacific Countries”

Presenter: Roshni Lata (Research Assistant)

Pacific Centre for Environment and Sustainable Development

University of the South Pacific

FIJI

Introduction

3 Project site areas

Aitutaki, Cook Islands

Natadola, Viti Levu, FIJI

Navua, Viti Levu, FIJI

NDMO estimated a damage cost of $FJ850 million from the year 1982-2002 for Fiji due to disasters

“Vulnerability of a Coastal Township to Flooding Associated with Extreme Rainfall Events In Fiji”

By: M. Mataki, K. Koshy, R. Lata and L. Ralogaivau

• Findings of this paper on vulnerability to flooding is through community survey (2003 and 2004), academic papers, rainfall data analysis and through the insight of the the recent flash flood

Purpose

To characterise the vulnerability of the Navua community to flooding

To understand the non-climatic (human induced) factors that contribute to flooding

Introduction

Viti Levu, Fiji Total land area of

10, 388 square km

Introduction - Navua

Majority of the population reside around the “central business district”

The current population is estimated to be ~ 7000.

About 30% of the population within the project site has some form of paid employment (2003)

Navua Landuse

Navua River

It is the fourth largest river in Viti Levu The rivers length running along the site is

about 5.81km It acts as the major reserve for water and

sediment runoff from the upper catchment Dredging was carried out in 1982 and 1992

Flooding

Ration within the project site area incurred a bill of $112, 803

Damages to homes was estimated to be around $190, 000 within the site

Intensive damage to agriculture, infrastructure and human health

Source: Fiji Red Cross Society

Flooding

Flooding was exacerbated by the clogged irrigation channels, dysfunctional flood gates and the accumulation of sediments in the Navua River

Human health suffering especially increase in water-borne diseases were observed

Source: Fiji Red Cross Society

Factors contributing to vulnerability towards Flooding

Non-climatic– Socio-economic – Logging operation, aggregate mining and

haphazard farming practices – Political Indifference

Climatic– Prolonged and intense rainfall can increase the

potential of flooding

Data Source and Analysis

Data obtained is from FMS– Climatological rainfall normal (1961-1990)– Period (1960 –2003)– daily rainfall data – Single FMS station (Tamanoa)

Results and Data Analysis

The total climatological annual rainfall normal of Navua is 3500mm.

Results and Data Analysis

April has the most incidences of rainfall greater than or equal to 100mm, followed by March.

The least incidences of rainfall (>100mm) being in the months, June, July and August

Results and Data Analysis

April and March daily rainfall

Results and Data Analysis

The return-period of the intense daily rainfall events has reduced from ~5 years to ~3 years

Conclusion

No increase trends of rainfall in the past 4 decades apart from inter-annual variability in rainfall as a result of El nino and La Nina events respectively.

A reduction in the return period of intense rainfall events in months March and April from ~5 years to ~3 years in the recent decade

Conclusion

Several factors have compounded to an increase in the vulnerability of the Navua community to flooding

The government needs to intervene through appropriate policies and actions to reduce the impact of flooding on the livelihood of the Navua community

Navua Project Site

Source: Fiji Red Cross Society