Flood Risk Assessment from Flash Floods in Bodva River Basin, Slovakia

Abstract

The main objective of flood management as well as the entire management cycle is regulated by Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council 2007/60/EC on the assessment and management of flood risks. The paper deals with an application of preliminary flood risk assessment, particularly flood risk assessment from flash floods in the Bodva river basin, which is situated in the south of the Slovak Republic. The aim of the preliminary assessment of flood risk from flash floods is determining the hazard and the vulnerability of assessed area. The result of identification of a hazard is the determination of critical points in the basin and their contributing surfaces on the basis of the geometric and physiogeographic characteristics of the contributing surfaces. Vulnerability in the study area is determined on the basis of the type and density of the built-up area. The resulting flood risk is stated as a moderate risk. The scope and extremity of flood episodes point to the need to build a comprehensive system of flood protection measures in potential flood areas.