Derivation of short-term design rainfall intensity from daily rainfall data for urban drainage design using empirical equations in robe town, Ethiopia

Abstract

Flooding is a significant impact that regularly affects the majority of cities/towns in developing countries due to inadequate drainage systems that were designed without considering hydrological-hydraulic efficiency caused by design rainfall intensity. Design rainfall intensity is essential to urban stormwater management systems; however, obtaining long-term, short-term design rainfall in developing countries such as Ethiopia is challenging. As a result, this study is conducted to derive short-term design rainfall intensity from daily rainfall data for Robe town using three empirical equations for urban drainage design: Indian Meteorological Method (IMD), Modified Indian Meteorological Method (MIMD), and Ethiopian Road Authority Method (ERAM). The results show that the estimated design rainfall by IMD is greater than other methods; the relationship between IMD, MIMD, ERAM, and existing ranges from 0.57 to 1.001, 1.015 to 1.218, and 0.890 to 1.027, respectively. According to the findings of this study, the design rainfall intensity of all empirical equations is not the same in all return periods and durations. Furthermore, the peak stormwater that caused flooding will vary due to variations in rainfall intensity. Thus, this study strongly suggested that the experts consider each empirical equation and select the accurate design rainfall to design adequate stormwater drainage systems for Robe Town. To manage unexpected urban inundation caused by urban development, short-duration design rainfall and other sub-catchment characteristics will need to be considered.