Every year, countries in the Asia Pacific region experience severe flooding as a consequence of monsoon rains and tropical cyclones. Poorly maintained or non-existent sewers and fragile and overwhelmed infrastructure in some of the most populous cities such as Jakarta, Manila and Mumbai as well as breached rivers and dams serve to exacerbate the problem. Business visitors are not immune from the effects of flooding: they can encounter problems ranging from inconvenient travel delays to being trapped in rising waters. By being amply prepared and well informed travellers can mitigate the risks of a disaster situation and minimise the disruptive impact on travel plans in less extreme situations. In this Special Issue Report, compiled by the experts and analysts of our Asia Pacific Regional Security Centre, we survey the impact of flooding in Asia Pacific this year and answer the most commonly asked questions about what to expect and how to respond.
Saturation point: 2009
The Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand and Cambodia all suffered flooding this year during a series of tropical storms and monsoon rains between August and October. Tropical Storm Ketsana in late September triggered some of the worst flooding seen in Manila in more than 40 years, submerging 80% of the city and resulting in the deaths of more than 240 people. Ketsana subsequently struck Vietnam, triggering floods and landslides that killed more than 190 people, and damaged more than 21,000 homes in 14 central and northern provinces. Infrastructure, including power lines and communications stations, was severely damaged. In June-July, floods in eastern and central China killed 75 people and affected more than 39m people in 12 provinces. Indonesia, especially Jakarta, also faces a substantial threat from floods. Bangladesh faces the highest mortality threat from cyclones in Asia. Six people were killed on 27-28 July during heavy rainfall in Dhaka that resulted in widespread flooding. Thousands of people were left stranded and floodwaters prompted the closure of commercial operations including at Zia International Airport (DAC). In early October, some of the heaviest flooding in more than 100 years occurred in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, leaving more than 250 people dead and displacing more than 750,000 others.
Will heavy rain and flooding affect my flights?
There is usually no need to cancel flight bookings due to severe weather conditions. Most international airports are able to continue operating in heavy rain. However, there is a risk of flight delays or diversions if visibility at the airport is affected. In severe cases, the airport may close due to threats to flight safety such as damage to the instrument landing system or floodwater on the runway. The civil aviation authorities in Mumbai closed the international and domestic airports for 48 hours following continuous rain in 2005. The airports continued to operate at 30% to 40% less than full capacity for several days. In Jakarta, the toll road that leads to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport has been flooded numerous times, causing delays for passengers and the cancellation of hundreds of flights. Be prepared for flight delays or diversions if you are travelling to a location experiencing heavy rain.
What can I expect to encounter when I arrive in a flooded area?
Road closures and traffic jams: flooded roads are often closed to traffic, which leads to traffic jams in roads that remain open. It is not uncommon for commuters to be trapped in severe traffic jams for several hours: commuters in Mumbai were stranded for up to 15 hours. Roads that remain open may also be waterlogged, rendering it impossible for passengers to leave their vehicles due to rising floodwaters. At this stage, public transport operators will usually suspend operations and towing services will be overwhelmed, increasing the risk of being stranded. In mountainous areas, rains can trigger mudslides.
Power supply interruption: electricity supply companies may cut off power to prevent accidents. In some cases, heavy rain may damage power lines, producing a power outage. Heavy rains usually hamper a power company's capability to repair damaged lines, which results in prolonged power outages. In most cases, power is not fully restored until after floods have receded or heavy rains have stopped.
Communications disruption: heavy rain can interfere with mobile (cellular) phone signals and floods may damage underground telephone cables, disrupting landline services. In a crisis situation, mobile networks become congested and mobile towers may be damaged, reducing coverage.
Water supply disruption: water companies may sever or restrict the water supply especially if reservoirs or water pipes have been contaminated by rain or floodwater. Water services are usually not fully restored until after floods have receded.
Increased risk of crime and civil unrest: there is an increased risk of riots, protests, stampedes and other forms of violence, particularly after major disasters. In Mumbai, at least 16 people were killed in a stampede triggered by a rumour that a water dam had burst its banks. Moreover, residents attacked trains due to the prolonged disruption to the railway services. Looting and opportunistic crime may also occur especially in the absence or delay in the delivery of government aid. The security forces are usually busy with search and rescue operations, preventing them from providing adequate security during flood crises.
Food and supplies: hoarding of basic necessities such as food and bottled water is common during disasters due to fears that floods may persist for several days. Stockpiling for emergencies is the only way to guarantee supplies in an emergency.
What should I do if caught in severe flooding?
You should remain indoors. If outside, attempt to get to the nearest hotel or high-storey building and stay there until the situation improves. Don't attempt to return to your accommodation if it necessitates a long commute and don't attempt to rush to the airport. Commuters can get trapped in rising floodwaters, in traffic congestion or in overcrowded pedestrian areas with people trying to get to the same locations. Other than in slum and rural areas, floodwaters usually recede within 24 to 48 hours. It is therefore prudent to remain indoors and wait for floodwaters to recede or for heavy rain to stop before venturing outdoors.
Do I need to be evacuated?
There is usually no need for evacuation of personnel who are indoors and in a relatively safe location such as a hotel or an office building unless they are facing a life-threatening condition. In most cases, rescue operations are hampered by weather conditions and other factors including the lack of sophisticated equipment and dangerous terrain. Recovery operations can be launched when floodwaters have receded to a level where deployment of vehicles is possible.
What should I do while I'm waiting for the water to recede?
If you're in a location severely affected by flooding, try to maintain contact with your family and company by any means possible. The power supply may be interrupted during a disaster so stay in contact by SMS or email to preserve your phone's battery life. If you're in a group, use only one mobile phone as a point of contact. If you're in an international hotel, explore alternative means of communication such as hotel telephones, fax, and email. In higher-risk locations satellite phones may need to be considered. Call an International SOS Alarm Centre or your dedicated number in the Global Security Centre if you are stranded or need additional assistance.
How can I stay informed about regional flooding?
If you're travelling to the Asia Pacific region between March and November, check the weather forecast for your destination at least 72 to 48 hours before departure. Each country also has a meteorological service that issues warnings prior to tropical cyclones or heavy rains. Once travelling you should continue to also monitor the local news sources. Travel Security Online monitors potentially disruptive storms and you should sign up for emailed alerts.
How can I best be prepared for a flooding situation?
Develop emergency response plans for a full range of contingencies for office and home in advance. In storm-prone areas a comprehensive emergency kit should be prepared and stored at home and office locations. Emergency plans should be developed and tested prior to the arrival of approaching storms, especially in low-lying areas.