Sustainable development goals (SDGs) associated with flash flood hazard mapping and management measures through morphometric evaluation

Abstract

This study is the first to demonstrate the interlinkages between several flash flood mitigation strategies and sustainable development goals (SDGs) by understanding the basins' morphometric characteristics. The basins' features were described by eighteen morphometric parameters, covering the watershed geometry, drainage network, and relief. The flash flood hazard degree (FFHD) was significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with texture ratio (R 2=0.712), surface slope (R 2=0.705), relief (R 2=0.690), basin area (R 2=0.666), ruggedness number (R 2=0.615), and sinuosity index (R 2=0.551). These parameters were used to define the sustainability of flash flood management actions, viz., protecting water bodies and livestock, harvesting freshwater from rainfall, restoring water-related ecosystems, implementing safe working areas, and applying hydro-electrical facilities for energy generation. Essential non-structural and structural measures were suggested to mitigate flood damages. The proposed mitigation measures showed high relationships with the environmental, economic, and social pillars of sustainability, reducing the negative impacts of flash floods on the fulfilment of SDGs.