Detailed analyses of natural hazards in South
and Southeast Asia indicate that geologically
triggered hazard events such as earthquakes and
tsunami are responsible for higher consequences
in terms of damages losses, but are
comparatively low frequency.
Hydro-meteorological events are more frequent
and more widespread within South and South East
Asia. Major River basins such as Ganges,
Brahmaputra, Meghna, Indus, Mekong, and Red
river are prone to flooding almost every year.
Island countries such as Sri Lanka, Indonesia &
Philippines have monsoon seasons, which create
devastating flash-floods in small catchments.
Drought is a recurring phenomenon in most parts
of India, Pakistan, Lao, Vietnam, Thailand, etc.
Cyclones threaten coastlines of countries
located in the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, China
Sea, Gulf of Thailand, and Pacific region,
particularly Vietnam, India and Bangladesh.
Landslides are frequently triggered by heavy
rainfall and frequent events during prolonged
monsoon periods especially in the mountain areas
of India, Indonesia, Bhutan, Nepal, Philippines
and Sri Lanka. Therefore, hydro-meteorological
events and associated secondary events are
common and frequent occurrences throughout the
sub-regions of South and South East Asia. Other
problems associated with hydro-meteorological
events such as water shortage also create and
make worse severe problems in urban areas due to
poor urban services.
ADPC, with funding support from
USAID / OFDA, is implementing PROMISE for urban
disaster risk reduction with the aim to promote
Hydro-meteorological disaster preparedness and
mitigation activities in selected highly
vulnerable secondary cities in South and
Southeast Asia
