Mapping Flash Floods in Iraq by Using GIS

Abstract

This study aims to investigate flash floods in Iraq by plotting the cartographic maps by using synoptic and dynamical analysis of meteorological reanalysis data obtained from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and statistical analysis of daily precipitation records from the Iraqi Meteorological and Seismology Organization for selected Iraqi stations (Mosul, Kirkuk, Khanaqin, Baghdad and Al-Rutba, Al-Hayy, Al-Nasiriyah, and Basra), as well as the use of geographic information system (GIS) techniques. Three models create to investigate and map flash floods in Iraq. The results of the first model (the longest period of time) shows that the station of Mosul record the longest period for a rainstorm, 9 days in 2014, while the lowest period was in Rutba, 6 days in 2012, and the other stations varied between these two stations. The results of the second model (the highest total rainfall), present that Kirkuk station recorded the highest amount of rain (117.2 mm in 2013), while Al-Rutba station, 47.2 mm in 2011, the lowest station. Finally, the results of the third model (the highest frequency of rainstorms per month) shows that the lowest frequency of rainstorms per month was in Basra, 29 rainstorms in 2009, while Mosul station has 40 rainstorms in 2007 and the other stations within these two values.