Environmental Monitoring and Evaluation of Flash Floods Using Remote-Sensing and GIS Techniques

Abstract

Egypt receives very little rainfall apart from on its coastal areas where average annual rainfall is 50–250 mm on its west coast and 50–150 mm on its east coast—rainfall increases from west to east. As a result of such low levels of rainfall Egypt might be considered safe from flooding. However, such an assumption would be dangerous because Egypt is exposed to high rainfall rates every 100 years. Therefore, studies must be carried out on all Egypt’s basins to study their characteristics and calculate probable flood volumes for such events, thereby allowing the provision of flood protection. As traditional methods of flood response are put under pressure by dynamic changes experienced in Egypt, this chapter presents a model for the application of advanced technologies such as remoytesensimg and GIS techniques capable of identifying and monitoring flash floods and watershed delineation and flood estimation in different areas in Egypt.