Flood Hazard, Vulnerability and Risk Assessments:Itang Area of Gambella
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2007-06
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Abstract
The town of Itang is located in the lower part of the Baro-Akobo basin. The geographical position and the topographical composition have made the area vulnerable to flooding. The heavy rainfall of the area and the high discharges of Baro River, with the source from high lands, are determining factors for the occurrences of flooding in the area. The uncontrolled populating to flood plain area and the river channel characteristics also contribute for the severity of the flooding. The geomorphologic units, land use/ land cover, the digital elevation models (DEM) and the frequency analysis of hydrologic data for the study area are utilized as inputs for this study in order to deal with the nature and characteristics of the Baro river flooding. The floodwater depths and the flooding extents of different return periods on the basis of hydrologic data and actual flood event of 1988 have been analyzed. GIS provides the broad rang of tools for determining areas affected by floods and for predicting areas that are likely to be flooded due to high water level. This method also helps to assess vulnerability of different elements in addition to flood hazard zonation maps. This involves a combination of flood scenarios of different return periods, elements at risk and DEM of the area through the application of vulnerability functions. The function relates the floodwater depth and the degree of loss or damage to each elements or group of elements on the basis of flooding extents. Based on vulnerabilities, probabilities and degree of damage, methods for risk assessments for the three return periods have been developed. And finally, recommendations were forwarded in order to reduce the damages and losses that would arise from flooding
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Itang Area of Gambella