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Journal of Environmental Hydrology
ISSN 1058-3912 |
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Electronic Journal of the International Association for
Environmental Hydrology
JEH Volume 18 (2010), Paper 14 Posted August 31, 2010 ASSESSING FLOOD VULNERABILITY OF WADI HANIFA BASIN AND SURROUNDING AREA, CENTRAL SAUDI ARABIA
Hussah Al-Saif ABSTRACT Climatic change has been recently raised as a global environmental issue. This change can result in large variations in meteorological conditions. Disastrous events can be exacerbated in time and space, and many have become priority issues in environmental discussions. In this respect, Saudi Arabia, as an arid region, has recently witnessed a number of climatic extremes, with a special emphasis on dust storms and flash floods. Rarely a year goes by without a catastrophic event. Even though the region is characterized by low rainfall, extreme rainfall peaks have become a common event, and they almost always result in damaging floods. This study focuses on assessing the flood vulnerability of Wadi Hanifa and the neighboring basins to the capital, Riyadh. The study area is located in central Saudi Arabia where dense urban settlements exist. The study aims to identify the major components controlling the flood process, through the analysis of related hydrological and morphometric characteristics of the drainage systems and the orientation of the basin. In order to reach this objective a miscellany of data and tools were used, namely thematic maps and a geographic information system (GIS). Results show that the region has a moderate vulnerability to flooding, with some numerical values suggesting high vulnerability, notably in the northeast part of Riyadh city. This is first-hand information for decision makers to act and implement a number of mitigation measures to prevent, or at least reduce the impact of floods. Reference: Al-Saif, H. 2010. Assessing flood vulnerability of Wadi Hanifa Basin and surrounding area, central Saudi Arabia. Journal of Environmental Hydrology, Vol. 18, Paper 14. CONTACT: Hussah Al-Saif Princess Nora Bint Abdul Rahman University Riyadh, Saudi Arabia E-mail: hissaelseif@gmail.com |
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