Trang Duong

Project title

How knowledge on past coastal flood events can help shape a safer future for coastal communities.

Project description

Coastal flooding caused by extreme sea levels (ESL) is one of the most significant hazards threatening coastal communities. ESL, the combination of sea-level rise (SLR), tides, storm surges, and wave effects results in severe coastal flooding, leading to massive property damage, infrastructure loss, and even fatalities. With climate change accelerating, the frequency and severity of coastal flooding events are projected to increase dramatically. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) AR6 report confirms, with high confidence, that coastal flooding will intensify in almost all global regions by mid-century, emphasizing the urgent need for adaptation strategies.

Trang Duong’s research focuses on understanding the future flood impacts of extreme events like storm Xynthia, a severe extratropical cyclone that hit France in 2010, causing extensive flooding. Utilizing advanced numerical modeling, she aims to assess the future flood damages that would occur if Xynthia were to strike France again in the future; and evaluate the most effective additional flood protection measures to mitigate future damages, considering their effectiveness in reducing the number of people affected and the extent of property damage.

This study will support policymakers and local stakeholders in decision-making processes, contributing to climate-resilient coastal management strategies. The research aligns with the broader global efforts to mitigate climate change impacts and will play a critical role in shaping climate adaptation policies and ensuring a sustainable future for coastal populations.

Selected publications

• Ranasinghe, R., Wang. Z.B., Bamunawala, J., & Duong, T.M. (2025). On the time lag between sea-level rise and basin infilling at tidal inlets. Nature Scientific Reports, 15, Article 4231. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86699-0.
• Duong, T.M., Meynadier, R., Ranasinghe, R., Loiza, M.A.D., Bricker, J.D., Reyns, J., Luijendijk, A., & Bamunawala, J. (2024). On detailed representation of flood defences and flow-wave coupling in coastal flood modelling. npj Natural Hazards 1, 16. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44304-024-00016-9.
• Nawarat, K., Reyns, J., Vousdoukas, M., Duong, T.M., Kras, E., & Ranasinghe, R. (2024). Coastal hardening and what it means for the world’s sandy beaches. Nature Communications, Articles/s41467-024-54952-1. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-54952-1.
• Vousdoukas, M., Clarke, J., Ranasinghe, R., Reimann, L., Khalaf, N., Duong, T.M, Ouweneel, B., Sabour, S., Iles, C., Trisos, C., Feyen, L., Mentaschi, L., & Simpson, N. (2022). African Heritage Sites threatened by coastal flooding and erosion as sea-level rise accelerates. Nature Climate Change, Vol 12, 256- 262. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-022-01280-1.
• Duong, T.M., Ranasinghe, R., & Callaghan, D.P. (2021). Probabilistic projections of the stability of small tidal inlets at century time scale using a reduced complexity approach. Nature Scientific Reports, 11, 22921. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-01945-5.