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2015 | Buch

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Flood Control Management for the City and Surroundings of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

verfasst von: Mashael Mohammed Al Saud

Verlag: Springer Netherlands

Buchreihe : Springer Natural Hazards

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Über dieses Buch

During the past years, Saudi Arabia has been affected by particularly severe torrential rains and floods. This book presents an in-depth and all-encompassing study on the floods that occurred in the Jeddah area in 2009 and 2011, including water-flow mechanisms, state-of-the-art techniques for flood assessment, flood control and appropriate management approaches. It highlights a number of methods and concepts that can be applied in similar areas in Saudi Arabia in order to reduce and mitigate the impact of torrential rains and floods.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

1. Literature Review and General Concepts

Abstract

The region of Jeddah, along the western Saudi coast, has been subjected to severe natural hazards, as evidenced by the two catastrophic flood events that occurred in 2009 and 2011. These floods, which affected the city of Jeddah and the surrounding areas, caused serious and unexpected damage. Yet, studies of this phenomenon are insufficient to provide decision makers with a comprehensive picture of the situation. The following study employed basic scientific approaches and began with a review of the current literature in order to compile an inventory of the principal concepts of the major items to be studied. Thus, the review focuses on the physical and anthropogenic characteristics of the area of study which are of great importance in controlling floods and torrents. In addition, previous studies related to floods and torrents both in the area of concern and worldwide were taken into account.

Mashael Mohammed Al Saud

2. Methodology and Tools of Analysis

Abstract

Several methods are used for flood risk assessment. These differ between regions and even between investigators depending on the tools that are available for data analysis. Recently, remotely sensed data have become a useful source of information with regard to terrain characteristics and water flow regime. The use of different spatial and temporal resolution satellite images and digital elevation models (DEMs) is essential for data manipulation in the GIS system, with a special emphasis on flood risk assessment and mapping of the flood-prone area.

Mashael Mohammed Al Saud

3. Physical and Anthropogenic Factors

Abstract

Natural hazards are controlled by many physical and anthropogenic factors that govern the level of risk and its geographic distribution. These factors vary between regions and are not well defined; different studies have produced contradictory findings. The present study investigated the fundamental factors that influence floods and torrents in Jeddah city and the surrounding area, based on the flood events that took place in 2009 and 2011.

Mashael Mohammed Al Saud

4. Floods and Torrents in Jeddah

Abstract

The city of Jeddah, along the western coast of the Arabian Peninsula, witnessed catastrophic floods and torrents in November 2009 and in January 2011. Many areas were completely submerged and the event resulted in unexpected damage to both human life and the environment. The geographic distribution and nature of the damage was identified with the aid of space technology, utilizing high-resolution satellite images acquired both before and after the floods and torrents took place.

Mashael Mohammed Al Saud

5. Hydrological Analysis of DEMs

Abstract

There are many tools for terrain analysis, whether for introducing the geomorphologic aspects of different surfaces or for identifying the water flow mechanism along these surfaces. Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) have recently emerged to be a useful tool in this respect. In the present study, DEMs supported data obtained from space observations and proved to be an integral element in flood analysis.

Mashael Mohammed Al Saud

6. Geometric and Morphometric Analysis of Drainage Systems

Abstract

The geometric and morphometric analyses of drainage systems have become accepted tools in the study of floods and torrents. Such analyses depend on well known geomorphologic formulas and concepts, whether for diagnosing the outer boundary of a water basin or for analyzing the interrelation of streams. However, these formulas are now being supported by space technology and DEMs. This chapter describes the different aspects of geometric and morphometric analyses used in flood investigation.

Mashael Mohammed Al Saud

7. Data Analysis and Manipulation

Abstract

In data analysis many methodologies are applied for the assessment of floods and torrents. These methodologies vary according to data availability and tools. Recently, the introduction of space observations and geo-information systems has provided valuable information as a result of the integration of different physical and anthropogenic aspects retrieved from satellite images and field surveys. This means that the factors that influence floods and torrents can be correlated. In particular, these new findings have helped in determining the major causes of the catastrophic flood events in Jeddah during 2009 and 2011.

Mashael Mohammed Al Saud

8. Data Modeling for Floods and Torrents Assessment

Abstract

There are several factors that influence the occurrence of floods and torrents, and thus their impact on humans and the environment. These factors vary between regions, and their influence is diverse. In order to integrate them, according to their levels of impact, a systematic moulding must be applied. In this study, levels of impact were induced from the flood events that occurred in Jeddah during 2009 and 2011. An empirical molding approach was taken, the creditability of which was confirmed from space observations and in the field verification.

Mashael Mohammed Al Saud

9. Localities Damaged by Floods and Torrents

Abstract

The identification of localities which have been subjected to damages by floods and torrents is essential to understand the behavior of water flow, as well as to deduce how various terrain surfaces respond to running and accumulated water. This involves locating the geographic distribution of damaged zones and assessing the impact of damage. Comparing these localities in terms of their physical and anthropogenic characteristics will help in predicting which areas are at flood risk. Such an approach has been applied in this study.

Mashael Mohammed Al Saud

10. The Existing Flood Controls in Jeddah

Abstract

Precautionary controls have been implemented in Jeddah area in order to reduce and mitigate the impact and risk of natural hazards. However, not all of these controls are effective for reasons of their scale, site selection and even engineering practices, among others. It is useful to investigate these measures after the event has taken place in order to induce their reliability and effectiveness. Such an investigation was carried out in Jeddah and the surrounding area following the floods and torrents that occurred in 2009 and 2011, and the effect of many of the controls implemented was found to be negligible.

Mashael Mohammed Al Saud

11. Required Controls for Floods and Torrents in Jeddah Region

Abstract

When the geographic extent and behavior of a natural hazard are determined, the resulting damages can be well identified. This helps decision makers in selecting the most appropriate controls to be applied in order to reduce the level of risk. This study investigates the fundamental flood and torrent controls that exist in Jeddah area. These controls were classified on three levels, depending on terrain characteristics and water flow behavior. While some of these controls have been recently implemented, there are still a number of major protective measures that need to be taken.

Mashael Mohammed Al Saud

12. Discussion and Conclusion

Abstract

This study has presented a new application of space technology in combination with the geo-information system. It has resulted in a number of new findings on the mechanism of floods and torrents that occur in Jeddah and the surrounding area. Thus, maps of flood-prone areas were obtained and appropriate flood controls were proposed. It is hoped that the study will provide useful information for the consideration of decision makers, experts, stakeholders and even the inhabitants themselves to better understand the natural and anthropogenic aspects which act on the occurrence of floods and torrents. It is recommended that similar studies be applied to many other regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Mashael Mohammed Al Saud

Backmatter

Titel: Flood Control Management for the City and Surroundings of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
verfasst von: Mashael Mohammed Al Saud
Verlag: Springer Netherlands
Electronic ISBN: 978-94-017-9661-3
Print ISBN: 978-94-017-9660-6
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-9661-3