Mitigating Mud and Debris Flow Hazards: The Role of MurGame in Risk-Aware Village Planning

Abstract

Past mud and debris flow incidents, such as those in Bondo (2017) and Brienz (2005) in Switzerland, have received extensive media attention, highlighting the destructive potential of such events. Protection strategies are crucial for managing natural hazards. Debris flows are rare, highly complex, and multifaceted phenomena, making it challenging to predict their trajectory, estimate potential damage, and assess the effectiveness of protective measures. Serious games provide a way to simulate these scenarios. The MurGame, for example, is an application software designed for preventing natural disasters. In this 3D interactive game, users can build a village by choosing various structures like houses schools. Mud and Debris flow simulations then reveal which constructions would be damaged and the extent of the destruction. Players can implement different protective measures to safeguard the village, observing their effectiveness during the simulations. Afterward, it is crucial to assess which measures were successful, their costs, and how well they meet the community’s needs.