On a global scale, damage from flooding is greater than from any other natural disaster – and the frequency and severity of floods is increasing. In January and February this year, for example, the Indonesian capital of Jakarta experienced its worst flood in years, with hundreds of thousands left homeless. In August 2006, Ethiopia experienced its worst ever floods, with over 900 people killed. Back in 1998, the Yangtze river floods in China left over 14 Million people homeless.
Through the centuries, hydraulic structures have been built to protect against floods. However, approaches to limit disruption and damage from flooding have changed significantly in recent years. On a worldwide scale, Asian river floods are the most significant in terms of people affected, leading governments to adopt a strategy of flood risk management rather than simply flood defence. In western countries, rivers prone to floods are often carefully managed. Defences such as levees, dams and weirs are used to prevent rivers from bursting their banks. Coastal flooding has also been addressed with such defences as sea walls and beach nourishment.
This one-day conference will bring together international speakers and delegates to discuss thought provoking case studies on the issues of flood management. Developments in flood defence will be discussed, and lessons learnt from major flood disasters will be shared. The most realistic approach to assessing floods in the future will also be addressed in this important event.
For further information, please go to www.wilmingtonconferences.com/flood2007 or click on the weblink below.
If you would like to support the event, please contact Johanna Czako on +44 (0)207 549 8611 or email jczako@wilmingtio.co.uk
External weblinksFlood Management
