Integrating the cellular vortex method with remote sensing and geographical information systems in the modelling of coastal flooding around Niger Delta

Abstract

Coastal areas are increasingly vulnerable to flooding, necessitating accurate simulation methods to understand flood dynamics and their potential impacts. This study employed a Lagrangian framework integrating the cellular vortex method with remote sensing and GIS to simulate flood height distribution in a coastal region. Leveraging climatic and remotely sensed data, alongside ArcMap 10.6.1 for map processing, the research estimated flood magnitude and frequency using the L-moment approach, applied to a forty-year tidal record dataset. Essential input parameters, such as the roughness coefficient and curve number, were derived from land use and land cover characteristics. Additionally, river flow velocity was observed at 0.12m/s, with measured wind speed and direction recorded at 4m/s in the northwest direction. Notably, analysis of the initial flood height distribution map revealed a significant expansion of wetland areas, attributed to observed land use changes between May 2002 and July 2005. Projections for flood height distribution in 2025 and 2050 highlighted the emergence of tidal floods, emphasizing the critical role of considering future climate and land use scenarios in flood dynamics assessment. This research contributes to advancing understanding of flood modeling techniques and underscores the urgency of adaptive measures to mitigate the potential impacts of coastal flooding.