Abstract

Abstract. Torrential floods are the most frequent natural catastrophic events in Serbia, causing the loss of human lives and huge material damage, both in urban and rural areas. The analysis of the intra-annual distribution of maximal discharges aided in noticing that torrential floods have a seasonal character. The erosion and torrent control works (ETCWs) in Serbia began at the end of the 19th century. Effective protection from torrential floods encompasses biotechnical works on the slopes in the watershed and technical works on the torrent beds, within a precisely defined administrative and spatial framework in order to achieve maximal safety for people and their property. Cooperation to overcome the conflicts between the sectors of the water resources management, forestry, agriculture, energetics, environmental protection and local economic development groups is indispensable at the following levels: policy, spatial planning, practice, investments and education. The lowest and most effective level is through the Plans for Announcement of Erosive Regions (PAERs) and the Plans for Protection from Torrential Floods (PPTFs), with Hazard Zones (HZs) and Threatened Areas (TAs) mapping on the basis of the hydrologic, hydraulic and spatial analysis of the factors that are important for the formation of torrential floods. Solutions defined through PAERs and PPTFs have to be integrated into Spatial Plans at local and regional levels.

Highlights

  • Natural or anthropogenic calamities may cause huge material damage and, the loss of human lives (Toya and Skidmore, 2007)

  • The lowest and most effective level is through the Plans for Announcement of Erosive Regions (PAERs) and the Plans for Protection from Torrential Floods (PPTFs), with Hazard Zones (HZs) and Threatened Areas (TAs) mapping on the basis of the hydrologic, hydraulic and spatial analysis of the factors that are important for the formation of torrential floods

  • This paper presents the most significant aspects of the phenomenon of torrential floods as the most common natural hazard in Serbia

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Summary

Introduction

Natural or anthropogenic calamities may cause huge material damage and, the loss of human lives (Toya and Skidmore, 2007). Among natural hazards with serious risks for people and their activities, torrential (flash) floods are the most common hazard in Serbia (Risticand Nikic, 2007) and the most significant regarding huge material damage and loss of human lives. The frequency of these events, their intensity and diffusion in the whole country (Fig. 1) make them a permanent threat with severe consequences to environmental, economic and social spheres. The main objectives of this paper are to present the integral notion of the problem of torrential floods in Serbia while highlighting some possible improvements to the process of town and country planning as a useful means for more effective torrential watershed management

Torrential floods and erosion
Torrential floods in Serbia
Erosion and torrent control works
Findings
Serbian and Yugoslav legislation in the field of erosion and torrent control

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