A Study of Perceptions of and Responses to Inundation Disaters by Flood-Prone Area Residents-Using Lu-gang Flood-Prone Area in Chang Hua County as An example

• Main Authors: Mei-Ching Chang, 張梅菁
• Other Authors: 鄭皆達
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2009
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/65218707039866232398

碩士 === 國立中興大學 === 農村規劃研究所 === 97 === During the heavy rainfall season from May-November, many lowland and depression areas along creeks and rivers in Taiwan often subjected to water inundation from a few centimeters to 2-5 meters. These disasters are usually resulting from that natural and man-made drainage systems’ incapability to properly discharge high intensity local rainfalls and/or water flows from upstream watersheds. The severities and extents of flooding problems that occurred in the past varies significantly in locations and time. Like many countries, the flooding problems in Taiwan are mainly dealt with engineering methods such as building dikes, drainage systems, water pumping and flood diversions, …etc. Engineering methods alone often require very heavy financial investments and do not always produce complete satisfactory results. On the other hand, non-engineering measures like early flood-warnings, preparatory actions and evacuations that were supported and participated by residents in the potentially flood-prone communities may greatly help reduce flooding damages to properties and lives. This study selected 2 flood-prone communities in Lu-gang Township of Chang-hua County in central Taiwan to investigate the perceptions and responses of their residents regarding participation in mitigation of local inundation/flooding disasters. Records on inundation/flooding severities area extents, and duration are analyzed, the perceptions of local residents related to (1) flooding causes and (2) relative responsibilities of governments and residents in preventing and reducing inundation problems were obtained by interviews. During the interviews, the willingness of local residents in participating non-engineering methods of mitigation inundation disasters was also asked. In addition, government, academic and practicing professionals were also interviewed with regard to the desirability and feasibility of local participation in inundation mitigation. It was found that flood-prone areas in Lu-gang Township are mainly located in local low ground depressions with poor drainage. Inundations were caused by heavy rainstorms without water flows from upstream watersheds. Inundations were not frequent, once every one or two years. The inundation depths of flooding water are usually from only a few centimeters to a maximum of 30-60 cm. The durations of inundation are mostly very short that do not last more than one day. If the drainage systems can be properly checked and slightly improved, the flooding problems would be greatly reduced. In other words, the characteristic of inundation in Lu-gang Township is a good choice to design and implement suggest that a local participation plan for flooding mitigation. However, our interviews showed that despite most residents know the causes and severities of past inundations; they still expect the government to take almost all the responsibilities in solving their inundation/flooding problems with preferably engineering methods and minimal resident participation. The majorities of professionals asked all agreed on the benefits of local residents in non-engineering measures and felt a pilot project may be considered. In the 1950-1980 periods, the residents in Taiwan are often asked and participated in local environment clean up project for doing deeds for the public. However, this type of public spirits seemed to disappear over past 30 years during the democratic ligation. It is suggested that a public education and promotion program be designed and implemented through schools and media to restore and enhance public willingness to fulfill responsibilities in helping reduce the soil and water disasters, such as inundation, and debris flows.