PRESS RELEASE
January 25, 2005
Public Works Research Institute (PWRI)New Training Course: “Flood Hazard Mapping”
To mitigate flood disaster in Southeast Asian countries
In the Asian monsoon regions such as Southeast Asia, a number of human lives
and properties are lost annually due to recurrent flood disasters. Whereas structural
measures such as embankments have been proven effective to mitigate flood disasters,
non-structural measures such as “flood hazard maps* 1 ” can be found equally effectivein disseminating a variety of crucial flood-related information and preparing people forfuture floods. Flood hazard maps are designed to convey such vital information as pastdisastrous events, simulated inundation areas, and evacuation routes and centers.
Particularly in developing countries, implementing non-structural measures ofthis kind are recognized as a necessary and more efficient way to prepare for disasters,
since implementing structural measures often requires considerable time before
demonstrating their efficiency due to constraints on budgetary and human resources.
The Public Works Research Institute (PWRI) starts a new region-focused training
course, “Flood Hazard Mapping,” in cooperation with the Japan International
Cooperation Agency (JICA). This training course aims to enhance technologicalcapability and to promote flood hazard mapping in the target countries, so that thesenations will be better prepared for flood disasters.
For more information, contact:
Mr. Akira TERAKAWA, Director
Mr. Tetsuya IKEDA, Senior Researcher
Secretariat for Preparatory Activities of UNESCO-PWRI Centre
Public Works Research Institute (PWRI)
Tel: +81-29-879-6809 Fax: +81-29-879-6709
Website: http://www.unesco.pwri.go.jp* 1 Flood hazard maps:
The main purpose of flood hazard maps is to reduce human losses due to flood disasters
caused by the break of river embankments or inundation. They include simulated inundation
depths and areas, as well as evacuation information. In Japan, they are produced and distributed tothe public by municipalities. As of October 2004, such municipalities counted up to 361..
Considering the severity of flood disasters in 2004, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure andTransport (MLIT) plans to promote flood hazard mapping by creating a new subsidy framework
starting the next fiscal year.

1Outline of the training course:
Course Title: Flood Hazard Mapping
Objectives:
Trainees are expected to acquire:(1) Professional knowledge necessary to produce flood hazard maps,(2) Understanding of the effectiveness of flood hazard maps and how todisseminate and utilize them(3) Understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of flood hazard maps,
and how to produce and apply the flood hazard map in his/her own
country/region
Curriculum:(1) Significance and procedure of producing flood hazard maps(2) Fundamental analyzing method necessary to produce flood hazard maps
(3) Progress and challenges in producing flood hazard maps in othercountries/regions(4) Field study, with presentation and discussion of it afterwards(5) Site visit in terms of the utilization of flood hazard maps
(6) Producing a concluding report on how to produce and utilize a flood hazard
map in his/ her own country, and presenting it for discussion.
Lecturers:
Renowned scientists from MLIT, NILIM, PWRI, universities, and otherprofessional organizations. In fiscal 2004, some lecturers are invited from aninternational organization outside Japan.
Duration:
The training course will be held annually for five years from fiscal 2004 through2008. The 2004 training course will be held for 17 days from January 25 until February
19. Guidance will be held from January 25 to 28.
Number of participants:
16 (2 from each country)
Target groups:
Technical managers or engineers who are engaged in flood or river management at
the national or local level in the public sectors such as governmental/provincial
ministries or municipalities in East and Southeast Asia* 22

* 2 East and Southeast Asia: China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Thailand, and Vietnam

Training institution:
Public Works Research Institute (PWRI)

Schedule:
First week (January 31- February 4, 2005):
Lecture session at PWRI
Second week (February 7- 10, 2005):
Field survey*3 for flood hazard mapping, with presentation anddiscussion afterwards* 3 The field survey will take place around Kurihashi Town, Saitama
Prefecture, and Goka Town, Ibaraki Prefecture, both of which arelocated in the middle stream of Tonegawa River

Third week (February 14-18, 2005):- Site visit to a region in which flood hazard mapping is actively
promoted as well as river/ flood management- Lecture on progress of flood hazard mapping in the world- Concluding reports and discussion by the participants
Reference:
PWRI has a long experience of conducting training courses specifically designed
for engineers from developing countries. In fiscal 2003, a total of 101 participantsfrom 27 countries took part in water-related training courses such as “River and Dam
Engineering Course” and “Sabo Engineering Course”.

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