Flash flood mitigation: recommendations for research and applications

Abstract

New technologies promise reduced flash flood losses. However, real-time observations with vast multi-sensor networks, more precise mapping capabilities using remote sensing and GIS, quicker hydrological and meteorological models, and increasing forecast lead times have not reduced losses. In November, 1999, 35 researchers from nine countries met in Ravello, Italy at a NATO sponsored Advanced Study Institute, to discuss these issues and to develop a research agenda that incorporates the various components required to cope with flash floods. The key recommendations from the Institute were: (1) greater emphasis on increasing understanding of the social processes involved in flash flood warning, particularly in the response phases, and (2) the need to reduce vulnerability in sustainable ways compatible with long-term economic and social goals. The relationship between hydrometeorology and social science is seen as critical to advancing our abilities to cope with flash floods.     

小型生活垃圾填埋场设计洪水计算方法的选择

以甘肃省静宁县威戎镇生活垃圾填埋场为例,对目前在计算小型生活垃圾填埋场洪峰流量时通常采用的几种方法进行了比较及合理性分析。研究认为,对于上游汇水面积为特小流域的小型生活垃圾填埋场,设计洪水的防洪标准应按照50年一遇设计、100年一遇校核,按照有、无降雨资料推荐了合理的计算公式,为小型生活垃圾填埋场设计洪水计算方法的确定提供了参考。     

公路隧道水害倾向性分级的Bayes判别法及应用

为提高公路隧道整体安全性能,保障人员安全,减少财产损失,避免公路隧道水害事故的发生,将Bayes判别理论应用于公路隧道水害倾向性判别和分级中。采用影响隧道水害发生的隧道区渗透系数、降水情况、单位涌水量、构造断裂带类型、围岩分级、隧道施工情况、防排水措施情况等7项指标作为基本判别因子;将公路隧道水害倾向性分为4个等级作为Bayes判别分析的4个正态总体。以采自典型的20组公路隧道的实测数据为训练样本,建立公路隧道水害倾向性分级的Bayes判别函数。对训练后的模型运用交叉确认估计法进行验证,然后运用该模型对6条待检验的公路隧道样本的水害倾向性进行分级。研究结果表明:构建的Bayes判别分析模型误判率极低,分级效果合理有效,可以运用于公路隧道水害倾向性的分级中,有利于公路隧道水害的预防和治理。     

Taking stock of community-based flood risk management in Malawi: different stakeholders,different perspectives

Current flood risk strategies in Malawi are characterized by community-based flood risk management (CB-FRM), even though studies explicitly documenting evidence of successful CB-FRM remain limited. This paper investigates the realities and challenges of CB-FRM as seen through a lens of different stakeholders. In order to capture the experiences of CB-FRM, a predominantly qualitative research framework was developed. In 2016, 11 focus group discussions with stakeholder groups (local communities, local government and non-governmental organisations) were held. Additionally, informal discussions, field visits, a short survey and an extensive desk study were undertaken. The findings were analysed according to the major themes that emerged related to the realities and challenges of specific stakeholder groups. Although response and relief still remain prominent components of CB-FRM in Malawi, a number of mitigation and preparedness activities is observed. However, a lack of in-country resources, relief-oriented aid approaches and an ‘aid dependency’ syndrome represent obstacles. Different stakeholder groups share similar challenges in terms of financing, participation, decentralised governance and project management. Lack of project sustainability and localised ownership also emerged as major challenges. The identified challenges shed light on the frontiers and directions in which improvements are needed, thus offering a valuable contribution to the existing knowledgebase.     

Changes in transport accessibility as a result of flooding: a case study of the Mazovia Province (Eastern Poland)

This paper presents the results of research investigating the impact of flooding on the temporal aspect of transport accessibility at national, regional and local levels in the Mazovia Province – an administrative region in Poland. For the purposes of this study the authors measured the theoretical journey times by private transport between settlement units for two variants: journeys made under normal circumstances, that is, without a flood; and journeys made during a flood event, which would necessitate diversions to avoid flooded road sections. This allowed the theoretical journey time differences to be calculated. It was assumed that vehicles move at the highest permissible speed along routes allowing the shortest travel times. The methods of accessibility assessment employed in this paper are based on distance measurements and use isochrones and a cumulative approach. Analysis carried out by the authors has shown that for interregional, intraregional and local journeys, the flooding of a part of the Mazovia region results in changes in travel times, but their absolute and relative magnitudes vary widely. It was found that in the case of national scale journeys the majority of relative journey time increases were no greater than three times the normal duration, while on a local scale they do not exceed 75%. For areas with a high risk of flooding there should be obligatory analyses of changes in transport accessibility; this would facilitate effective flood risk management. Appropriate traffic management in crisis situations would facilitate emergency and rescue services and help inhabitants and any other persons in flooded areas.     

试论我国城市应急软能力提升路径——基于2016年武汉洪涝灾害的理性思考

城市应急能力建设是保障城市公共安全的关键环节。当前我国城市应急能力建设重“硬件”轻“软件”,导致在城市灾害应对过程中效果不佳。选取受2016年南方洪涝影响严重的武汉市作为研究对象,对城市内涝灾害治理过程中应急“软能力”的现状及功能进行剖析,提出在制度适应、风险管理以及理念协调等方面的重构思想,并论述城市应急“软能力”的提升路径:建立健全防灾导向的城市规划制度,推进协同导向的城市灾害风险管理,加强完善教育导向的城市灾害文化建设。     

基于熵信息扩散理论的中国农业水旱灾害风险评估

农业水旱灾害是制约中国农业生产的重要因素。针对信息扩散理论模型存在的不足,论文构建了评估中国农业水旱灾害风险的熵信息扩散理论模型,依据1985-2013年数据资料,运用熵信息扩散理论模型对中国大陆30个省、市、自治区（重庆包含在四川中计算）的农业水旱灾害进行了风险评估,根据农业水旱灾害风险评估结果对中国农业水旱灾害风险进行了综合对比分析。评估和分析结果表明：中国面临着较大的农业水旱灾害风险压力;中国农业旱灾风险明显大于农业水灾风险;农业水旱灾害空间风险特征明显;农业水灾高中风险区域主要集中在长江中下游地区和东北地区,农业旱灾高风险区域主要集中在中国北部地区和东北地区,总体上看,中国农业水旱灾害的空间分布格局是南方地区易出现水灾,而北部地区易出现旱灾,东北地区面临水旱灾害重叠的双重压力。     

A New Flood Index for Use in Evaluation of Local Flood Severity: A Case Study of Small Ungauged Catchments in Korea1

Ahn, Jae Hyun and Hyun Il Choi, 2013. A New Flood Index for Use in Evaluation of Local Flood Severity: A Case Study of Small Ungauged Catchments in Korea. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 49(1): 1‐14. DOI: 10.1111/jawr.12025 Abstract: The aim of this article is to develop a new index measuring the severity of floods in small ungauged catchments for initial local flood information by the regression analysis between the new flooding index and rainfall patterns. Although a rapid local flood caused by heavy storm in a short period of time is now one of common natural disasters worldwide, such a sudden and violent hydrologic event is difficult to forecast. As local flooding rises rapidly with little or no advance warning, the key to local flood forecasting is to quickly identify when and where local flooding above a threshold is likely to occur. The new flooding index to characterize local floods is measured by the three normalized relative severity factors for the flood magnitude ratio, the rising curve gradient, and the flooding duration time, quantifying characteristics of flood runoff hydrographs. The new flooding index implemented for the two selected small ungauged catchments in the Korean Peninsula shows a very high correlation with logarithm of the 2‐h maximum rainfall depth. This study proposes 30 mm of rainfall in a 2‐h period as a basin‐specific guidance of precaution for the incipient local flooding in the two study catchments. It is expected that the best‐fit regression equation between the new flooding index and a certain rainfall rate can provide preliminary observations, the flood threshold, and severity information, for use in a local flood alert system in small ungauged catchments. Editor's note: This paper is part of a featured series on Korean Hydrology. The series addresses the need for a new paradigm of river and watershed management for Korea due to climate and land use changes.     

The importance of the “not-so-cool” sectors: creative solutions to reconcile environmental and economic sustainability within a floodplain

Creative cities are generally considered as “cool” spaces which attract a particular “creative class” whose ability to innovate and transform – particularly in the media and cultural sectors – offers urban economies a competitive edge. This paper argues that, in the face of dangerous climate change, the creativity of the “not-so-cool” sectors needs to be acknowledged and valued. A case study of Salford in the north-west of England shows how political, technological and economic creativity has secured sustainable regeneration within a floodplain. It is argued that the concept of “creativity” in urban economic discourse needs to be widened to acknowledge the importance of the creativity of planners, civil engineers and builders in securing environmentally sustainable cities. Environmental sustainability, it suggests, not only underpins economic sustainability. Faced with dangerous climate change and society's need to respond, the skills and expertise can in themselves contribute to a city's competitiveness.     

基于数据场和云模型的洪水灾害风险等级评估

根据灾害风险系统的定义以及洪水灾害的特点,用灾情损失与地形危险性的综合作用描述洪水灾害风险。针对研究单元风险的内在联系和等级概念的模糊性、随机性,提出基于数据场和云模型的洪水灾害风险等级评估方法,以期为洪水灾害风险管理提供科学依据。以苏州市和上海市(崇明县除外)为例,首先用数据场对灾情数据进行扩散;再用云模型对地形进行等级划分;最后对两者进行耦合得到该地区的洪水灾害风险等级划分。结果表明:苏州市中心偏北区域和上海市中心区域综合风险等级最高,并向四周呈递减趋势;总体上中部风险等级最高,北部次之,南部最低。