Stochastic modelling of flow sequences for improved prediction of fluvial flood hazards

2018 ◽  
Vol 488 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandhya Patidar ◽  
Deonie Allen ◽  
Rick Haynes ◽  
Heather Haynes

AbstractThe availability of historical streamflow data of the desired length is often limited and, in these situations, the ability to synthetically generate statistically significant datasets becomes important. We previously developed a highly efficient stochastic modelling approach for the synthetic generation of daily streamflow sequences using the systematic combination of a hidden Markov model with the generalized Pareto distribution (the HMM-GP model). Daily streamflow sequences provide limited information on various significant small duration flooding events exceeding the peak over threshold values, but these are averaged out in the daily datasets. These small duration intense flooding events are often capable of causing significant damage and are important in conducting thorough flood risk management and flood risk assessment studies. This paper presents upgrades to our HMM-GP stochastic modelling approach and examines its efficiency in simulating streamflow at a temporal resolution of 15 minutes. The potential of the HMM-GP model in simulating a synthetic 15-minute streamflow series is investigated by comparing various statistical characteristics (e.g. percentiles, the probability density distribution and the autocorrelation function) of the observed streamflow records with 100 synthetically simulated streamflow time series. The proposed modelling schematics are robustly validated across case studies in four UK rivers (the Don, Nith, Dee and Tweed).

Author(s):  
Patrick Gwimbi

The increasing occurrence of disastrous flooding events and the mounting losses in both life and property values in Zimbabwe have drawn attention to the flooding situation in the country, especially the rural areas. This article explores the resilience of vulnerable rural communities to flood risks associated within increasingly frequent and severe events linked to climate change. Starting by reviewing the current literature on rural livelihoods, resilience and vulnerability research, the paper argues for a coordinated teamwork approach in flood risk mitigation in rural areas. The paper concludes with several recommendations for enhanced resilience to flood hazards.


2016 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 726-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Masseroni ◽  
Alessio Cislaghi ◽  
Stefania Camici ◽  
Christian Massari ◽  
Luca Brocca

Many rainfall–runoff (RR) models are available in the scientific literature. Selecting the best structure and parameterization for a model is not straightforward and depends on a broad number of factors, including climatic conditions, catchment characteristics, temporal/spatial resolution and model objectives. In this study, the RR model ‘Modello Idrologico Semi-Distribuito in continuo’ (MISDc), mainly developed for flood simulation in Mediterranean basins, was tested on the Seveso basin, which is stressed several times a year by flooding events mainly caused by excessive urbanization. The work summarizes a compendium of the MISDc applications over a wide range of catchments in European countries and then it analyses the performances over the Seveso basin. The results show a good fit behaviour during both the calibration and the validation periods with a Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient index larger than 0.9. Moreover, the median volume and peak discharge errors calculated on several flood events were less than 25%. In conclusion, we can be assured that the reliability and computational speed could make the MISDc model suitable for flood estimation in many catchments of different geographical contexts and land use characteristics. Moreover, MISDc will also be useful for future support of real-time decision-making for flood risk management in the Seveso basin.


2009 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1931-1940 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Martens ◽  
H. Garrelts ◽  
H. Grunenberg ◽  
H. Lange

Abstract. The likely manifestations of climate change like flood hazards are prominent topics in public communication. This can be shown by media analysis and questionnaire data. However, in the case of flood risks an information gap remains resulting in misinformed citizens who probably will not perform the necessary protective actions when an emergency occurs. This paper examines more closely a newly developed approach to flood risk communication that takes the heterogeneity of citizens into account and aims to close this gap. The heterogeneity is analysed on the meso level regarding differences in residential situation as well as on the micro level with respect to risk perception and protective actions. Using the city of Bremen as a case study, empirical data from n=831 respondents were used to identify Action Types representing different states of readiness for protective actions in view of flood risks. These subpopulations can be provided with specific information to meet their heterogeneous needs for risk communication. A prototype of a computer-based information system is described that can produce and pass on such tailored information. However, such an approach to risk communication has to be complemented by meso level analysis which takes the social diversity of subpopulations into account. Social vulnerability is the crucial concept for understanding the distribution of resources and capacities among different social groups. We therefore recommend putting forums and organisations into place that can mediate between the state and its citizens.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-69
Author(s):  
Husna Fauzia ◽  
◽  
Eka Cahyaningsih ◽  
Hery Hariyanto ◽  
Satya Nugraha ◽  
...  

Flooding is a catastrophic phenomenon that can occur due to various factors, such as uncontrolled landuse changes, climate change, and weather anomalies, and drainage infrastructure damage. The Bodri watershed in Kendal Regency is one of the watersheds in Central Java, which is categorized as critical based on Decree No.328/Menhut-II/2009. Some of the problems in the Bodri watershed include land use that is not suitable for its designation, flooding, erosion, and landslides. This study aims to conduct spatial modeling to create flood hazard maps and flood risk level maps in the Bodri watershed. The method used is hydrograph analysis, flood modeling, potential flood hazards, and flood risk levels. Analysis of the potential for flood hazards from the spatial modeling inundation map with the input of the flood peak return period of 2 years (Q2), 5 years (Q5), and 50 years (Q50). Vulnerability analysis based on land use maps of flood hazard areas. The distribution of flood-prone areas in the Bodri watershed is in Pidodo Kulon Village, Pidodo Wetan Village, and Bangunsari Village.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 3465-3497 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Salvati ◽  
C. Bianchi ◽  
F. Fiorucci ◽  
P. Giostrella ◽  
I. Marchesini ◽  
...  

Abstract. Inundations and landslides are widespread phenomena in Italy, where they cause severe damage and pose a threat to the population. Little is known on the perception of the population of landslides and floods. This is surprising, as an accurate perception is important for the successful implementation of many risk reduction or adaptation strategies. In an attempt to fill this gap, we have conducted two national surveys to measure the perception of landslide and flood risk of the population of Italy. The surveys were executed in 2012 and 2013, performing for each survey approximately 3100 computer assisted telephone interviews. The samples of the interviewees were statistically representative for a national scale quantitative assessment. The interviewees were asked questions designed to obtain information on their: (i) perception of natural, environmental, and technological risks, (ii) direct experience or general knowledge on the occurrence of landslides and floods in their municipality, (iii) perception of the possible threat posed by landslides and floods to their safety, (iv) general knowledge on the number of victims caused by landslides or floods, and on (v) the factors that they considered important to control landslide and flood risks in Italy. The surveys revealed that the population of Italy fears technological risks more than natural risks. Of the natural risks, earthquakes were considered more dangerous than floods, landslides, and volcanic eruptions. Examination of the temporal and geographical distribution of the responses revealed that the occurrence of recent damaging events influenced risk perception locally, and that the perception persisted longer for earthquakes and decreased more rapidly for landslides and floods. We justify the differentiation with the diverse consequences of the risks. The interviewees considered inappropriate land management the main cause of landslide and flood risk, followed by illegal construction, abandonment of the territory, and climate change. Comparison of the risk perception with actual measures of landslide and flood risk, including the number of fatal events, the number of fatalities, and the mortality rates, revealed that in most of the Italian regions the perception of the threat did not match the long-term risk posed by landslides and floods to the population. This outcome points to the need to fostering the understanding of the population of landslide and flood hazards and risks in Italy.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hye Gi Kim ◽  
Sun Sook Kim

In an effort to improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings, it is necessary to first evaluate the energy performance of those buildings. Since it is difficult to obtain detailed information on existing buildings, the challenge is how to conduct reliable energy performance assessments with this limited information. As a result, many countries have adopted evaluation systems based on measured energy consumption data for existing buildings. This study aims to analyze the building energy consumption and characteristics using Korea’s national building database and provide an energy performance benchmark for continuous management of the energy performance of existing buildings. We analyzed the relationship between the basic statistical characteristics of the information collected from the national integrated energy database and energy consumption. The total floor area was found to be closely related to energy consumption, and various regression analysis methods were applied and compared to develop a benchmark to explain the trends of energy consumption according to the increase in total floor area. Finally, the developed benchmarks were used to evaluate energy consumption and examine the feasibility of the benchmarks.


2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 55-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Badri Bhakta Shrestha

Assessment of flood hazard and damage is a prerequisite for flood risk management in the river basins. The mitigation plans for flood risk management are mostly evaluated in quantified terms as it is important in decision making process. Therefore, analysis of flood hazards and quantitative assessment of potential flood damage is very essential for mitigating and managing flood risk. This study focused on assessment of flood hazard and quantitative agricultural damage in the Bagmati River basin including Lal Bakaiya River basin of Nepal under climate change conditions. Flood hazards were simulated using Rainfall Runoff Inundation (RRI) model. MRI-AGCM3.2S precipitation outputs of present and future climate scenarios were used to simulate flood hazards, flood inundation depth, and duration. Flood damage was assessed in the agricultural sector, focusing on flood damage to rice crops. The flood damage assessment was conducted by defining flood damage to rice crops as a function of flood depth, duration, and growth stage of rice plants and using depth-duration-damage function curves for each growth stage of rice plants. The hazard simulation and damage assessment were conducted for 50- and 100-year return period cases. The results show that flood inundation area and agricultural damage area may increase in the future by 41.09 % and 39.05 % in the case of 50-year flood, while 44.98 % and 40.76 % in the case of 100-year flood. The sensitivity to changes in flood extent area and damage with the intensity of return period was also analyzed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saleh Yousefi ◽  
Hamid Reza Pourghasemi ◽  
Sayed Naeim Emami ◽  
Omid Rahmati ◽  
Shahla Tavangar ◽  
...  

Abstract Catastrophic floods cause deaths, injuries, and property damages in communities around the world. The losses can be worse among those who are more vulnerable to exposure and this can be enhanced by communities’ vulnerabilities. People in undeveloped and developing countries, like Iran, are more vulnerable and may be more exposed to flood hazards. In this study we investigate the vulnerabilities of 1622 schools to flood hazard in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, Iran. We used four machine learning models to produce flood susceptibility maps. The analytic hierarchy process method was enhanced with distance from schools to create a school-focused flood-risk map. The results indicate that 492 rural schools and 147 urban schools are in very high-risk locations. Furthermore, 54% of rural students and 8% of urban students study schools in locations of very high flood risk. The situation should be examined very closely and mitigating actions are urgently needed.


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