15:32 JST, May 9, 2024
Japan’s Ministry of Land plans to start providing flood risk maps to Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam next fiscal year to help Southeast Asian countries reduce damage from floods. The maps will use satellite observation data to predict flooding due to heavy rainfall.
The initiative aims to increase Japan’s engagement with emerging and developing countries, collectively known as the Global South, and counter China, which is increasing its influence over several countries.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism already publishes flood risk maps for various parts of Japan, showing the frequency and depth of inundation due to flooding. Based on observation data collected on the ground, including from rainfall gauges, the maps show the risk of flooding from heavy rainfall that is likely to occur every 10, 30, 50, 100 and 150 or 200 years. evacuation and community planning.
The four Southeast Asian countries are regularly affected by large-scale flooding. This led the ministry to think that it would be useful for them to have similar maps clearly showing the flood risk in the target areas. Since these countries do not have sufficient ground-based observation data, the ministry has decided to create maps of specific areas after simulating floods using observation data collected by the Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation (GSMaP) system, operated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and others. .
The ministry began discussions with the four countries in the 2023 financial year to select the target areas. It plans to deliver a prototype version of the map to each country by the end of the 2025 financial year.
In addition to establishing guidelines, including map-making procedures, the ministry will also develop human resources through training programs.
The maps are expected to be made available to the public in each country. Since many Japanese companies operate in the four countries, the maps are also expected to help them draw up business plans to prepare for disasters and select their office or factory locations.
The ministry is also considering providing the maps to other countries.
