Hailstorm risk assessment for crop areas in Moldova Region (Romania)

Vasilica Istrate,Ovidiu Miron Machidon,Liviu Apostol,Vasile Jitariu,Pavel Ichim

doi:10.15551/pesd2021152005

Abstract

Estimating the impact of hail on agricultural land is needed in order to streamline damage reduction methods. In this regard, hail risk maps were prepared for the region of Moldova for the main types of crops (wheat and rye, corn, potato, sugar beet, sunflower, vegetables, orchards and vineyards). The methodology that we used consists in determining the risk map, as the product between the hazard map (average annual number of days with hail), the exposure map (agricultural crop value) and the vulnerability map (the percentage occupied by a certain agricultural crop in the administrative units). Areas with severe hail risk are in the eastern half of Vrancea County, the western part of Galati County and the northeastern part of Iasi County, where there are large areas cultivated with vines, orchards and vegetables. In Vaslui County, the most exposed ATUs are those in the vicinity of Bârlad, Fălciu Hills and the Huși wine area. Most AUs in Bacău and Suceava counties, in the southern part of Neamț County, are included in the medium and high-risk classes due to the suitable conditions for cultivating most plants and the higher frequency of hail. The ATUs from Botosani County are included in the low and medium risk classes. The lowest level of risk is registered in the case of AUs from the mountainous area, the Curvature Subcarpathians and the areas with higher altitudes from the Central Moldavian Plateau and Tutova Hills.

Highlights

Perils associated with severe convective storms, such as large hail, heavy rainfall, strong wind gusts, or tornadoes, are among the most important perils in several regions of the world (Virts et al, 2013; Cecil et al, 2014)
The administrative unit (AU) in which the level of risk is the highest are those in the Siret Corridor, the Tazlău-Cașin Depression, the Tutova Hills and the Tecuci Plain
Other areas with medium and high risk are located in the west and northwest of Iași County (Târgu Frumos-Pașcani area), the Cracău-Bistrița Depression and the Siret Corridor between Roman and Bacău

Summary

Introduction

Perils associated with severe convective storms, such as large hail, heavy rainfall, strong wind gusts, or tornadoes, are among the most important perils in several regions of the world (Virts et al, 2013; Cecil et al, 2014). Of all severe convective storms related hazards, hail causes the largest economic damage (Kunz and Geissbuehler, 2017). The modelling of severe convective storms risk is still in its infancy (Allen et al, 2016; Martius et al, 2018). The effects of hailfalls usually interest limited areas, the damages can be severe (Baldi et al, 2014), especially to agriculture (Lemons et al, 1942; Gall et al, 2011; Changnon et al, 1978; Changnon et al, 2009). Assessing the risk of hail disaster is crucial in promoting sustainable agriculture. The results of these studies can only reflect the regional

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