ABSTRACT
Dhaka, a megacity at the forefront of rapid, unplanned urbanization, is considered to be one of the flood-prone cities in the world. The city’s eastern fringe, though underdeveloped and low-lying, is experiencing rapid growth as a result of migration, which has compounded the nature and extent of flood vulnerabilities. Overflow of surrounding rivers during monsoon along with the excessive rainfall have made urban floods a perennial problem for both residents in the city and peripherals. Flood vulnerabilities and damage are localized events and understanding them is critical for disaster risk reduction and flood management in the Sabujbagh ward of eastern Dhaka, Bangladesh. The study employed the phi and Cramer’s V and contingency coefficients analytical techniques to comprehend the relationship between physical characteristics of residential buildings, building adjustments, and flood damage. Findings indicate that flood vulnerability in the area is due to the deficits in drainage infrastructure and variable rainfall patterns. Flood damage to residential buildings was influenced by factors such as the age of the buildings, building materials, plinth level height, and land cover conditions. Interestingly, the study found that no individual factor was enough to eliminate the flood damage. The study, therefore, suggests integrated community-based flood management that combines the investment in drainage infrastructure and maintenance, targeted green space development, and social organizing that involves all of the residents, community leaders, and institutions at the local level to manage flood risks.
