| Author | Inayath, Mohamed |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.DM-14-04 |
| Subject(s) | Flood damage--Myanmar Hpa-an
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management,School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. DM-14-04 |
| Abstract | Natural disasters and climate change risks pose significant threats and challenges to many parts of the world. Extreme weather events and rising seas are causing extensive damage and loss to life and livelihood of millions of people in urban cities and low elevated coastal areas especially small island states. Maldives is one of the most threatened countries by climate change and sea level rise. This study tried to assess the vulner ability and analyze the potential impacts of rise in sea level on the small island communities of Maldives. It addresses a very important issue for the Maldives with regard to its long term survival and existence. Climate induced sea level rise is consider ed the biggest threat and challenge for the future Maldivian generations. Some firm and concrete adaptation and climatic risk reduction measures need to be initiated in order to sustain, remain, survive and advance in the adverse through the worst case sce narios of future sea level rise. The type of research applied in this study was both descriptive and exploratory. At the same time, the study also employed both qualitative and quantitative sampling methods, data collection and analysis. The field work for the study was conducted in the Lhaviyani Atoll of the Maldives. Respondents and key informants were selected from all four inhabited islands of this atoll. The objective of this study is to understand the potential impacts of projected sea level rise on the small island communities of Maldives and to assess the preparedness at national, atoll and island levels in the Maldives. Impacts associated with sea - level rise would frequently result inundation from extreme events, such as sea swells and storm surges, the intensity of which would increase as the mean sea - level rises. The major findings from the study are not surprises but more of a common characteristics already grappling with by other similar countries elsewhere in the Pacific and Caribbean. This study found that at the national level, government has achieved significant milestones in formulating strategic policies and plans providing the most urgent and prioritized adaptation and risk reduction projects to be implemented throughout the country at atolls and islands level. However, limited progress and achievements towards preparedness and adaptation to sea level rise can be seen at the atoll level. At the same time, island communities at the local level, are coping with the limited adaptive capacity due to the socio - economic and environmental situation of the islands and its inhabitants. Rainwater harvesting, diversifying the livelihood activities and structural coastal protections measures such as seawalls and breakwaters are the most common local adaptation and coping strategies currently used by the inhabitants at the Lhaviyani Atoll islands |
| Year | 2014 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. DM-14-04 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Disaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management (DM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Routray, Jayant K.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Ahmed, Mokbul Morshed;Potty, Jayaraman; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2014 |