Development of flood vulnerability curves for Sri Lankan hospitals
International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment
ISSN: 1759-5908
Article publication date: 7 January 2022
Issue publication date: 7 January 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The government-led public healthcare services in Sri Lanka became a major strength in managing the COVID-19 comparatively well. However, natural hazards are a major threat to this healthcare system, as they cause severe damages, especially to curative healthcare infrastructures such as hospitals. Floods have been the major contributor to the economic loss of the Sri Lankan healthcare system. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop a proper flood risk assessment framework for Sri Lankan hospitals.
Design/methodology/approach
This research study has attempted to develop a flood vulnerability assessment tool for hospitals using the concept of Depth Damage Functions (DDFs). Flood vulnerability curves have been developed for identified critical units of hospitals considering the damage caused to building contents which are predominantly expensive medical equipment. The damage caused only by wetting was considered in generating vulnerability curves. Structured interviews were conducted with government officials in the healthcare sector to gather details on the cost and damages of medical equipment. Pilot studies were carried out in two hospitals identified as located in flood-prone areas and have previous experiences of flooding, to acquire data regarding building contents of the critical units.
Findings
The developed vulnerability curves indicate that no major damage would occur to building contents in critical units (other than the labor room) until the inundation depth reaches a value of 0.6–0.9 m (varies for each type of unit). It is also noteworthy that after a certain range in the inundation depth, the damage increases drastically, and building contents would incur total damage if the inundation depth passes a value of 1.2–1.5 m.
Originality/value
This study explains the initial phase of developing a flood vulnerability assessment framework for Sri Lankan hospitals. Not many studies had been carried out to assess the vulnerability of hospitals specifically for floods using vulnerability curves. The study recommends a zoning system with pre-defined vulnerability levels for critical units during a flood, which can be associated with evacuation planning as well. Further studies must be carried out to verify this system for hospitals in Sri Lanka.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the officials of the DPRD who granted us approval to visit the hospitals to perform the pilot survey and the Biomedical Engineering Division of MOHSL for providing us with the necessary information regarding medical equipment. The Authors would also like to acknowledge the directors and staff of the DGH and the TH for helping to perform the survey and Eng. H.H.H Hasalanka and Eng. D. Kularatne for providing information from initial pilot surveys.
Citation
Koneswaran, B., Siriwardana, C. and Jayasekara, R.U. (2022), "Development of flood vulnerability curves for Sri Lankan hospitals", International Journal of Disaster Resilience in the Built Environment, Vol. 13 No. 1, pp. 99-112. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJDRBE-09-2020-0102
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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