5. Physical Vulnerability Assessment

First they talk about what is a flood risk assessment you know because that is FRA, we call it as flood risk assessment. That is a very basic key tool as a traditional approach in the traditional approach to understand and managing the flood risk.

Flood Risk Assessment (FRA) is an important tool used to understand and manage the risks associated with flooding. It serves as a fundamental approach for assessing how likely it is for flooding to occur and what its potential impacts could be on a given area.

Think of it like checking the weather before planning a picnic. Just as you wouldn’t want to be caught outside in the rain, communities need to prepare for floods by assessing the risks based on past flood data and weather predictions.

The cost of damage to the property and the business description and you know either it may be quantified in financial terms. And when it talks about these quantifiable impacts, do not reflect the entire effects of flooding you know that like, for instance, there is not only about the monetary aspects, there is a physical aspect, and there is also to do with the non-monetary aspects of the intangible aspects of it.

FRA typically focuses on quantifiable data, such as financial losses due to property damage and business interruption. However, this approach often overlooks non-monetary impacts, such as loss of life and cultural heritage, which can be equally significant.

Imagine a family losing their home in a flood. While insurance may cover the financial loss of the house itself, it cannot compensate for the sentimental value of family photographs and heirlooms that were lost.

When we say about the hazard assessment of any floods, that is where the hydrologist they talk about many hydrological models... vulnerability assessment has to it is often assessed using the site-specific indicators or measurements.

Hydrological assessments evaluate how rainfall transforms into runoff that contributes to flooding. This involves various models that calculate water volume and surface runoff. Meanwhile, vulnerability assessments consider site-specific indicators and measurements, integrating multiple factors like infrastructure and cultural significance.

It's like baking a cake where hydrological models represent the recipe (how ingredients combine), while vulnerability assessments are akin to checking if you have the right oven and pan size to ensure the cake bakes properly in your kitchen.

There are two approaches when the authors try to relate with the traditional approach. Where we call about R=risk=hazard when vulnerability adds on to it that is where the risk component comes to it and this is the risk perception approach.

The assessment of risk includes understanding not only the physical aspects of a hazard but also how communities perceive those risks. These perceptions are influenced by factors such as past experiences, knowledge, and the social context of the community, which can impact how individuals prepare for and respond to flooding.

If a community has experienced a severe flood before, they may be more cautious and take preventive steps when faced with weather warnings compared to a community that has never faced a flood. This is similar to how people may be more cautious about driving in heavy snow if they have encountered deep snow before.

Now when you look at the Ayutthaya island which is located in the urban area... the authors have tried to club both the methods of both, one is the scientific approach of it, and second is the social approach to it, and the perception of it.

The physical vulnerability of Ayutthaya, a city recognized as a world heritage site, is assessed through both scientific and social lenses. The scientific analysis involves complex hydrological models, while social perspectives include understanding community beliefs and experiences related to flooding.

Consider Ayutthaya like a historical museum. While the exhibits (historical sites) are protected by physical barriers, understanding how local visitors perceive and interact with the museum (the social context) is just as important for enhancing safety and experiences.

--