Assessing socio-economic and environmental losses of dam-Failure flood risk: a review on sustainable framework

Iti Aqilah Samsuddin, . and Zeittey Karmilla Kaman, . and Khanm Tamanna, . and Zuraidah Ali, . and Norhayati Mat, . (2024) Assessing socio-economic and environmental losses of dam-Failure flood risk: a review on sustainable framework. Journal of Sustainability Science and Management (Malaysia), 19 (1). pp. 171-195. ISSN 2672-7226

Floods from dam hazards pose more catastrophic consequences than equivalent flood events due to their sudden, high-speed water flows, and lack of warning. They result in the loss of human life, the destruction of communities, and significant socio-economic and environmental losses. This paper aims to review previous studies on dam hazard flood risk assessment, identify gaps in existing models, and propose a practical methodology for a sustainable assessment framework. Through a systematic literature review using keywords like “dam failure”, “flood risk”, and “socioeconomic impact”, 179 relevant papers were found, with 20 being significant, and 5 focused on dam failure events. Prior studies mostly concentrated on technical or country-based approaches, neglecting community-based assessments. The gaps identified included a lack of consideration for social, economic, and environmental impacts, with most studies focusing solely on structural effects. This study presents an integrated framework linking flood characteristics to three main variables: (1) Social-community well-being and loss of life, (2) economic losses (both direct and indirect), and (3) environmental impact on water quality and biodiversity. To assess dam failure scenarios, a guideline for scenario-building analysis is adopted, incorporating primary and secondary data. The proposed framework aims to be concrete and user-friendly, assisting policymakers and stakeholders in assessing dam hazard-flood risks. However, it acknowledges that the effectiveness of the framework may vary based on specific dam features and the surrounding demographic, topographic, and socio- economic conditions. Although a more comprehensive assessment method is necessary, this framework represents a crucial step towards improving dam risk evaluations.

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Abstract

Floods from dam hazards pose more catastrophic consequences than equivalent flood events due to their sudden, high-speed water flows, and lack of warning. They result in the loss of human life, the destruction of communities, and significant socio-economic and environmental losses. This paper aims to review previous studies on dam hazard flood risk assessment, identify gaps in existing models, and propose a practical methodology for a sustainable assessment framework. Through a systematic literature review using keywords like “dam failure”, “flood risk”, and “socioeconomic impact”, 179 relevant papers were found, with 20 being significant, and 5 focused on dam failure events. Prior studies mostly concentrated on technical or country-based approaches, neglecting community-based assessments. The gaps identified included a lack of consideration for social, economic, and environmental impacts, with most studies focusing solely on structural effects. This study presents an integrated framework linking flood characteristics to three main variables: (1) Social-community well-being and loss of life, (2) economic losses (both direct and indirect), and (3) environmental impact on water quality and biodiversity. To assess dam failure scenarios, a guideline for scenario-building analysis is adopted, incorporating primary and secondary data. The proposed framework aims to be concrete and user-friendly, assisting policymakers and stakeholders in assessing dam hazard-flood risks. However, it acknowledges that the effectiveness of the framework may vary based on specific dam features and the surrounding demographic, topographic, and socio- economic conditions. Although a more comprehensive assessment method is necessary, this framework represents a crucial step towards improving dam risk evaluations.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	socioeconomic impact
AGROVOC Term:	environmental impact assessment
AGROVOC Term:	flood damage
AGROVOC Term:	frameworks
AGROVOC Term:	literature reviews
AGROVOC Term:	databases
AGROVOC Term:	damage assessment
AGROVOC Term:	risk assessment
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Dam failure, flood risk, sustainable framework
Depositing User:	Mr. Khoirul Asrimi Md Nor
Date Deposited:	29 Sep 2025 08:42
Last Modified:	30 Sep 2025 06:52
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2193

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