DEVELOPMENT OF FLOOD VULNERABILITY INDICES FOR LOWER MEKONG BASIN IN CAMBODAIN FLOODPLAIN

Abstract

Floods frequently occur in the world, which cause serious damage of properties and loss of lives. It is thus important to identify flood vulnerability in flood-prone area. This study identified flood vulnerability in the Lower Mekong Basin of Cambodian floodplain and developed flood vulnerability indices for the average and extreme floods in order to avoid big damages and cope with flood in their life. The flood vulnerability was defined as amount of potential damages. The agricultural and house damages were considered to develop flood vulnerability indices, because both are major income and stocks. The agricultural damage was defined as the function of flood water depth during the cultivation period and its duration. The house damage was defined as the function of maximum flood water depth.