Rapid development in Da Nang’s urban and peri-urban areas is increasing flood frequency and severity in the city during extreme rain events. Climate change will increase the intensity (mm/hr) of extreme rainfall events in and around Da Nang. In 2007, a moderate rainfall event caused significant flooding in the city; flooding was clearly exacerbated by rapid development and urbanization occurring in the floodplain. By the end of the 2020s, climate change could increase the rainfall intensity of events like 2007 storms by 3 to 24%. Construction standards based on historical experience, even of rare extreme events such as the 1999 storm, will not prepare houses and infrastructure for future events. If the city continues to expand into low-lying areas without taking a multi-activity flood risk reduction approach and multi-hazard resilient construction, damage and possible loss of life may be severe even in areas of new construction.

This policy brief, Da Nang: Extreme Rainfall, Climate Change and Flooding, looks at the future climate and rainfall in Da Nang and current and potential resilience activities.

Sheltering From a Gathering Storm is a two-year project supported by CDKN targeting peri-urban areas in India, Vietnam and Pakistan to identify practical solutions for resilient shelters and the long-term economic returns of investing in such shelter structures, focussing on cities facing risks from typhoons, flooding and extreme heat.

Further reading:

Case studies:

• Sheltering From a Gathering Storm: Flood Resilience in India
• Sheltering From a Gathering Storm: Temperature Resilience in Pakistan
• Sheltering From a Gathering Storm: Typhoon Resilience in Vietnam

Reports:

• Review of Housing Vulnerability: Implications for Climate Resilient Houses
• Typhoon Intensity and Climate Change, Da Nang, Vietnam
• Extreme Rainfall, Climate Change and Flooding in Da Nang, Vietnam
• Extreme Rainfall, Climate Change and Flooding in Gorakhpur, India (policy brief)
• Qualitative Insights Into The Costs And Benefits Of Housing In Three Wards In Central Vietnam
• Lessons from Typhoon Nari: Storm Resistant Housing shown to be Effective
• Sheltering From a Gathering Storm: The Cost and Benefits of Climate Resilient Shelter

Technical papers:

• Extreme Rainfall, Climate Change and Flooding in Gorakhpur, India (technical brief)
• Da Nang's Extreme Rainfall and Climate Change by the 2020s and 2050s