The levee effect along the Jamuna River in Bangladesh. Issue 5 (4th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ferdous, Md Ruknul; Wesselink, Anna; Brandimarte, Luigia; Di Baldassarre, Giuliano; Rahman, Md Mizanur
• Is Part Of: Water international. Volume 44:Issue 5(2019)
• Page Start: 496
• Page End: 519
• Publication Date: 2019-07-04
• Subjects: Levee effect -- flood risk management -- economic development -- Bangladesh; Water -- Periodicals; Water-supply -- Periodicals; 333.9105
• DOI: 10.1080/02508060.2019.1619048
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0250-8060

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The levee effect refers to the paradox that the construction of a levee to protect from flooding might induce property owners to invest more in their property, increasing the potential damages should the levee breach. Thus, paradoxically, the levee might increase flood risk. The levee effect was observed for high-income countries. We analyze whether it can also be observed in a low-income country, Bangladesh. In the Jamuna floodplain different levels of flood protection have existed alongside each other since the 1960s, so their effects can be compared.