Flash Flood Incidents in China in 2013:Characteristics, Reasons, and Benefit Analysis of Non-Engineering Measures (PAP014494)

Código

PAP014494

Autores

Tu Yong, He Bingshun, Cheng Xiaotao, Zuo Jichang, Li Qing, Chang Qingrui

Tema

Land use and Floods, landslides and erosion

Resumo

Fatal flash flood incidents in 2013 in China were sorted based on statistical data from theOffice of State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters and provincial flood reports. Throughstatistical analysis and field research, the incidents were categorized based on regional distribution,historical comparison, disaster type and level, occurrence time, and composition of fatalities, and nationalflash-flood-distribution maps drawn according to disaster type and level, and number of deaths.Furthermore, the ratio of deaths by flash floods to total deaths by flooding since 2000 were analyzed, andthe situation of flash floods in 2013 compared with 2012. The results showed that of 774 people killed byflooding in 2013, 560 (72.4%) were killed following 181 catastrophic flash flood incidents. Flash floodincidents started in early February, ended in late October, and occurred mainly in July and August,although there were significant regional differences in distribution and severity. Migrant workers, farmers,and tourists were the groups most affected, and the elderly and minors accounted for the largestproportion of total deaths. Extreme heavy rainfall, migrants? poor awareness of flood prevention, andfailure of early warning information were the principal reasons for the frequency of flood disasters andnumber of casualties.