The identification of vulnerable localities to flash flows from the inferior basin of Jijia river through the physiographic method

Abstract

Climate changes, irrational exploitation of the land and lack of a sustainable protective infrastructure against extreme phenomenological phenomena make Romania an area vulnerable to frequent floods. If on the middle and low courses of major rivers the hydrotechnical infrastructure has been improved in order to prevent against floods, the small water courses often remain vulnerable to flash flooding due to the rains with a torrential character. Such basins quickly respond to heavy precipitations because of the steep slopes and impervious surfaces, saturated soils or because of the anthropogenic changes (deforestation or fires, for example) that cause changes of the natural drainage. Jijia hydrographic basin is an area where the hydrological risk exists and manifests itself along both Jijiariver and its tributaries. The geographical position of the basin and the torrential rains caused by the specific of cyclonal activity in this area create favorable conditions for the release of flash flows in more subbasins. The high amounts of rainfall in a short time produce very large flows which often cannot be taken by minor riverbeds. Copyright © (2012) by Danube Adria Association for Automation and Manufacturing (DAAAM).