A 'thumbs up' for the proposed Stormwater Flood Incident Response Concept of Operations (CONOPS) framework for better flood management in Bangkok

With its rapid development and urbanisation, Bangkok is now more sensitive to flooding than ever. When there is heavy rain, the impacts of flooding may cause urban problems such as traffic congestion, street flooding and property damage. Flooding can also impact residents' health and well-being. To mitigate the impacts of urban flooding, the Decision Support System (DSS) for Flood Management for Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Intervention, under Proof of Concept 3 (flood emergency response), introduced a new Concept of Operations (CONOPS) framework to propose enhanced operational procedures to improve BMA's capacity to respond to flood incidents.

The team received a 'thumbs up' for the proposed framework from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) technical staff, who participated in the CONOPS Validation Workshop on 21st March 2022. Approval from the BMA is a positive indication of the way forward to improve flood emergency response and flood resilience in Bangkok.

^{Workshop participants were asked for feedback regarding the CONOPS framework}

This CONOPS Validation Workshop presented another vital capacity-building element to help enhance flood response procedures in BMA through a 'learn-by-doing' approach. It aimed to equip BMA personnel to better prepare and respond to a sudden stormwater flood incident.

Many representatives and key personnel from BMA, including key flood response staff, attended the workshop, which involved a table-top exercise scenario for our study area organised by the delivery partner, Mott MacDonald. Our UK-based sub-consultant, RAB Consultants, facilitated this process.

We received excellent attendance and engagement from BMA's staff at the workshop, with 26 personnel from BMA's flood response teams (including six women) attending. Most participants were from the BMA Department of Drainage and Sewerage (DDS) sub-divisions and district offices. Representatives from the Lat Phrao and Wang Thong Lang District BMA Offices also attended online as observers.

At the end of the workshop, a feedback evaluation survey was given to assess participant experience and reflections. Participants were asked to what extent the workshop would positively impact their work, and the survey results showed an average score of 3.67 out of 5 points. For the relevance of content, the results showed an average score of 4.33 out of 5, indicating that the respondents felt that the workshop was very relevant to their work. The respondents also indicated that the event encouraged them to apply the new knowledge "to be used in the table-top exercise workshop and coordination of different and technical work" and "...adjust the plan for table-top exercise and put them into practice."

^{Results of feedback from the workshop participants. Generally, the responses were positive}

In conclusion, BMA provided excellent attendance at the workshop, gave excellent feedback on the benefits of the CONOPS after completing the exercise, and stated that it has good potential for being upscaled to the whole of Bangkok. Their valuable feedback and all other observations and findings from the workshop have now been incorporated into a final implementation plan for the CONOPS. A robust and comprehensive final implementation plan for the CONOPS ensures that Bangkok should be well-equipped for possible disasters in the future.

^{Workshop participants took part in a table-top exercise and received interactive training}

^{Workshop participants took part in a table-top exercise and received interactive training}