Review Article Open Access

A Review of Flood Risk Assessment

Abstract

Floods are one of the most common hazards in the world and cause loss of lives, livelihood and property destruction. The objective of this study was to review and synthesize concepts and techniques of flood hazard, vulnerability and risk assessment with reference to the Himalayan region. Flood risk is a function and a product of hazard and vulnerability. The impact of flood and flash flood ( slow onset and rapid onset) events at particular site can reflects key socioeconomic factors and environmental services,like number of people at risk, affect on ecological services and capability of human population to recovery. Risk assessment is important in making decisions, policies and managing floods. Using PRISMA methodology of literature review, 120 articles were retrieved using PubMed and Google Scholar database. 90 articles were included in initial review. 30 articles were excluded from the review after reading the whole content because they did not match the objectives of the literature review and the inclusion criteria. Flood hazard assessment techniques are based on various parameters such as meteorological, hydrological and socioeconomic. There are four important steps in flood risk assessment such as characterizing the area, determining hazard level and intensity, assessing vulnerability and risk. Recently, advancement in GIS, remote sensing and hydraulic modeling technology has been extensively used in formulating models used for flood hazard calculation and risk analysis. The occurrence of floods in mountainous regions are now more common related to past and in future it seem more frequent due global warming. Community based flood warning systems can go a long way in helping rural communities, as well as flood management agencies, to prepare for flash floods. The enhancement of community resilience through socioeconomic empowerment and strengthened adaptive capacity can pay a vital role in flood disaster management.

Karamat Ali *, Roshan M Bajracharya, Hriday Lal Koirala, Farida Begum

To read the full article Download Full Article