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Lumb Lecture

The Sixth Lumb Lecture
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The Sixth Lumb Lecture entitled "Typhoon Morakot and Hazard Prevention / Mitigation in Taiwan" will be delivered by Dr. Za-Chieh Moh, Chairman, MAA Group Consulting Engineers. The Lecture will be held at 7:00 p.m. on October 14, 2010 (Thursday) in the Rayson Huang Theatre of The University of Hong Kong.
   
   Leaflet of The Sixth Lumb Lecture

   
Abstract
The steep terrain and fragile geology make the Island of Taiwan vulnerable to many natural hazards. According to the book, entitled "Natural Disaster Hotspots: a Global Risk Analysis" published by World Bank, Taiwan may be the place on Earth most vulnerable to natural hazards, with 73 percent of its land and population exposed to three or more hazards.

The Island is located on the path of warm ocean currents and is swept by, on an average, 3.7 typhoons per year. Destructive typhoons accounted for 65% of the natural hazards and resulted in huge losses. On the other hand, the island needs a couple of typhoons each year to fill up the reservoirs, or it will face serious drought in the coming year. For this reason, Typhoon Morakot of 8 August 2009 was much anticipated beforehand, however, it unfortunately caused unprecedented damages in Southern Taiwan at the end. Intense rainfall caused inundation destroying tens of bridges and numerous sections of roads were destructed by debris flows. Many villages were flooded for a couple of weeks and more than 20 thousands of people were evacuated. The death toll reached 619 and the economical loss is estimated to exceed NT$400 billions (US$13 billions).

Due to global warming, extreme whether is expected to be a reality with severe drought and floods to occur more and more frequently. The rainfall of 3,005mm accumulated in 3 days during Typhoon Morakot exceeded the annual average of 2,500mm and no one can be sure that it will not be exceeded. To prepare for similar, or even worse, events in the future, the government is reviewing the laws and regulations governing hazard prevention and mitigation and is also seriously reconsidering the land development policies. Besides, the various agencies responsible for hazard mitigation are to be consolidated and integrated to form a new administration with more authority given so emergencies and natural hazards can be dealt with promptly and more efficiently.

This lecture discusses damages made by Typhoon Morakot with emphasis on engineering aspects such as debris flows, inundation and impacts to environment and infrastructure. Also discussed are the measures taken by the government for hazard prevention and mitigation, including assessment and prediction, monitoring and warning systems.

   
Registration and Enquiries
No prior registration is required and all interested are welcome. Attendance certificates will be available.

For further details, please contact:

Ms. Bridget Lam
Tel: (852) 2859 2666
Fax: (852) 2559 5337
Email: lumb@hku.hk
Website: http://www.hku.hk/civil/h4d.htm

   
Sponsors
The Sixth Lumb Lecture is generously sponsored by:

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   Geotechnical Division, HKIE

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   Professor Lumb Trust Fund, HKU