Mapeamento digital das áreas propícias às enchentes e inundações na bacia do Córrego do Lenheiro em São João del- Rei – MG

Abstract

The term human-made environmental hazards refers to disasters caused by anthropic influence and, in Brazil, the most common are the inundations in urban areas. The objective of this article is to indicate the human actions that cause floods and inundations in the urban area located on Lenheiro's stream basin, in the city of São João del-Rei-MG. The theoretical and methodological framework is based on Systems Theory applied to geography. A basemap and a model synthesis of the areas susceptible to human-made environmental hazards were elaborated with the ArcGis 10.1Ⓡ software. Primary data were collected in field by means of observation, photographic registers, and a questionnaire answered by 24 residents. Along with these, secondary data collected in public bodies were used. The results and the analyses indicate that the anthropic actions intensify the temporary elevation of the water in fluvial channels and result in floods. The inundations reach the population due to the informality in the process of occupation of the areas where Lenheiro's stream overflows its maximum capacity, extrapolating the fluvial channel's limit. The primary data indicate the absence of information related to the imminent risks in the area among the residents.