Flood Risk Analysis of Catchment H (Nouvelle France)

GUNESEE Anikate 1514635 BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering University of Mauritius

1. Problem Statement • A numerical model using mainly ArcGIS

Flood risk management is an important aspect and HEC-RAS produced the hydrological

in preparing against flood events. However, in and hydraulic models.

Mauritius, flood mapping is virtually • The flood hazard map and flood risk map
• The 30th March 2013 rainfall event’s runoff
unchartered territory even though flood is the were then concocted followed by the
volume production is classified as a 50 years
second most reoccurring local natural disaster. identification of problem areas.
return period rainfall event.
The tragedies which occurred in 2008 resulting
• Sensitivity analysis and ground truthing are
in deaths of four people and in March 2013 6. Conclusion and
Figure 2: Flood Risk Map for catchment H derived
performed to identify critical factors and recommendations
causing the death of eleven people serve as from flood hazard map and land use map.
sources of flooding. Recommendations and
stark reminders of the dangers of floods. The flood hazard map was merged with the The numerical model identified the risky areas
limitations were provided to complement the
Catchment C consisting of Nouvelle France is land use map to create the flood risk map. To (Nouvelle France, Union Park, Balisson, Pont
study.
highly exposed to flooding issues accompanied identify specific locations, the latter was Colville, Cluny, Ville Noire and Mahebourg) in

with non existing intensive local flood studies. 4. Results overlaid onto an aerial imagery. catchment H for a singular precipitation event
of 30th March 2013 from which two selected
2. Aim 5. Discussion
areas have been validated through survey and
• Actual flooded areas from conceptual model field data. The flood hazard and flood risk map
To produce a flood hazard and a flood risk map
and desk study compared to the flood risk can be easily implemented as non structural
as well analyse the response of the catchment
map produced discrepancies. measure for flood risk management of
H to a critical rainfall event as well as pinpoint
the exact critically exposed areas. • SCS method generated 211, 078.8 m3 while catchment H. However, the discrepancies
Figure 1: Flood Hazard Map for catchment H Rational method produced 222,120 m3 with obtained should be carefully validated prior to
3. Methodology derived from height above base of channel map.
an acceptable percentage difference of 5.1%. usage to maps. Additional sensitivity analysis
• A literature review described the flood The difference between the Digital elevation
for more parameters should be done to evaluate
studies and reviewed the flood events. model and map above base of river produces • The time of concentration (tc) is a critical
their effect on the model. Frequent flood events
the Height above channel’s base. A set of parameter in predicting the behavior of a
• A conceptual model compiled all the are to be observed to increase accuracy of
scores was applied to the varying heights to catchment to a precipitation event.
available data leading to a better study.
generate different hazard classes (See figure 1). Watershed lag method calculated a 101
understanding of the nature of the
minutes tc. Contact details:
catchment.
[email protected]