Abstract
The present contribution aims to give an insight into the main terrestrial and marine processes leading to delta flooding in the case of the transboundary Evros delta, located at the microtidal NE Aegean Sea, on the basis of recorded flood events in the Evros deltaic plain. The prevailing weather conditions at the onset of the event, along with sea-level rise above the mean state, portray the mechanism for the development of compound flood events and subsequent riparian flooding. This system blocks the riverine water’s seaward exit, resulting in the flooding of the lower deltaic plain. The river discharge is recognized as a secondary factor acting mainly toward the persistence of the events. Several limitations restrict the quantification potential of the relative contribution of the key factors to the development, onset, and duration of a flood. Mitigation of the impacts of such flood events requires intercountry cooperation and a management plan based on a network of environmental monitoring.
Highlights
Deltaic regions cover approximately 1% of the land globally, accommodating more than 7% of the world population [1]
The flood events recorded in the deltaic plain of the transboundary delta of the Evros river could be distinguished according to their life span in the following ways: (i) events lasting >1 month, (ii) events lasting
The key factors regulating the onset of flood events are the prevailing weather conditions, along with rainfall levels and the consequent rise of the sea level attributed to southerly winds
Summary
Deltaic regions cover approximately 1% of the land globally, accommodating more than 7% of the world population (about half a billion people) [1]. Flood risk is further exacerbated during the co-occurrence of meteorological, oceanographic, and hydrological processes, which regularly have greater impact on flood magnitude and duration than when they occur separately [11,12,13], a condition known as “compound flood event”. These events are exceptionally intensive when related to the passage of hurricanes (e.g., [12,13]). The time series of the wind vector at a grid point representing the deltaic nearshore area were examined and presented in order to figure out the prevailing wind directions for the entire examined period and around the events.
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