Coastal Barriers & Flooding at Thames Estuary
Sophisticated Flood Barriers
The development of the Thames Barrier ,which commenced in 1982, has protected UK since four decades and the astonishing part is that such an old technology maintains London as a global innovator against tidal and fluvial flooding.Whenever warnings are received of significant incoming tides mammoth sized steel gates , as high as a 5 storey building , dont cease to amaze onlookers yet what is not common knowledge is that the gates operate on pin point set of algorithms under the supervision of qualified experts working under the auspices of the Environment Agency (EA) . In a manner of speaking this mathematical matrix was a precursor of “cloud computing” .
Environmental Challenges Loom
While the Thames Barriers has done an incredible job of protection environmental challenges and rising sea levels has left vulnerable coastal states underprepared. The UK is equipped in handling extreme flooding but there is practically no window for maintenance of barriers at Thames as they have to be constantly opened and closed with respect to the rapid rise in sea levels especially as inaccurate readings occur. An ounce of increase in sea levels can lead to closure of gates to 100 times or even more whereas as per protocol the Thames Barrier is not to be opened more than 50 times a year . Apart from being economically comfortable factors such as being astound in policy making and beneficiary of IGO’s such as the UN allows countries including UK to stay a step ahead.Vulnerable and poverty stricken economies situated in Africa and South Asia do not have any financial or diplomatic clout with the UN and its agencies.
Biodiversity an Exclusive Preserve of the West
Western nations have preserved biodiversity whereas most countries in Asia and Africa have wreaked havoc on precious agricultural land and indulged in predatory estate practises.Conserving natural biodiversity in hilly or coastal areas leads to absence of age old barks of trees which in turn causes extreme flooding. Nations without surge barriers, barrages and dams encounter famine and this has been the case amongst weak Asian countires with Pakistan a ripe candidate for extreme flooding.
The Thames Estuary 2100 vision
Pinning hopes entirely on forestry for protection from flooding does not seem to be a priority for the UK as policy makers in London recognise that rising sea levels have to be tackled at an international level. As part of the Thames Estuary 2100 vision it has launched short, medium and long term goals enabling accurate forecasts in sea levels . In order to play it safe the EA is contemplating upgrading the existing barrier, building an extra barrier, barrage and dams while taking into consideration that forecasts can vary.
Whither South Asian and African Environmental Agencies
African and South Asian coastal state authorities seem least interested in addressing the threat of rising sea levels despite possessing a plethora of dams and barrages although most have limited capacity or are nonfunctional due to lack of maintenance. The lesson to learn from Thames Barrier is that for the time being perhaps while dams and barrages are being worked upon, the time is ripe to take a cue from EA to build a lighter and effective version of Thames Barrier within South Asia. The Thames Barrier has 10 steel gates going up to 20 meters in height holding up to 9,000 tons of water whereas given the geographical advantage of South Asia logic dictates to construct more steel gates with pretty much the same height and less in weight .A digital ” cloud computation ” mathematical matrix needs to be established alongwith an integrated network as the opening and closing of gates is linked with receiving of timely and vital information from weather satellites, oil rigs, weather ships and coastal stations. The tricky part is financing as the Thames Estuary 2100 Vision includes future proofing estimated at around 16 billion dollars and cash and debt strapped African and Asian nations are unlikely to be able to arrange such financing. Sea levels are rising and time is running out for cash and debt strapped African and Asian countries. Extreme weather conditions and flooding would plunge such countries into a vicious cycle of poverty and endanger food security.
Authored by Razeen Ahmed
Credit / Links ;
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-thames-barrier
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/8/what-makes-south-asia-so-vulnerable-to-climate-change
https://www.concern.net/news/how-tens-thousands-trees-bangladesh-are-reducing-impacts-climate-change
Leave A Comment