Integrated management of Wadi Flash Floods in arid environment: Forecasting, mitigating, and water harvesting

Abstract

Flash floods are destructive natural disasters and at the same time are an essential source of water, especially in arid areas, where flash floods could provide renewable fresh water, particularly for groundwater recharge. Figure 1 shows examples of flash flood inundations on June 2016 in Egypt. Therefore, using an appropriate decision support system based on effective methodologies could help manage this infrequent but valuable resource. Monitoring, modelling and early warning of WFFs are difficult, especially in ungauged wadis. Furthermore, the lack of a complete data archive of pre- and post-WFF events across the Arab region obstructs efforts to mitigate the flooding risk. The Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) and the Global Alliance of Disaster Research Institutes (GADRI) of the Disaster Prevention Research Institute (DPRI), Kyoto University, initiated a leading research project related to Wadi Flash Floods (WFF) to investigate flash flood disasters, to implement new research methodologies, and to emphasize transdisciplinary approaches in this ever more important field of research. A substantial efforts by governments in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to enhance Wadi Flash Flood monitoring, modelling, mitigation structures and warning systems. However, gaps remain that need a new paradigm shift considering comprehensive strategies, mitigation and water resource management (Figure 2). We need to conduct more research and establish guidelines/manuals for assessment, mitigation and utilization of floodwater.