Estimating Number of Fatalities Due to Flash Floods in Residential Areas

Among different types of natural disasters in the world, floods, especially flash floods, are known as the most devastating hazard which cause serious damages and human deaths in residential areas. Importance of estimating the maximum possible number of fatalities due to flash floods in urban watersehds, in order to consider appropriate management plans to reduce the number of fatalities, is undeniable. Implementing some global equations in Kan watershed, located in the north of Tehran, led to this conclusion that their accuracy for estimating the number of human fatalities is not enough and developing a regional relationship is essential. In this study, using hydraulic parameters such as depth and velocity, a regional and comprehensive equation was developed to estimate loss of life due to flash flood in residential areas. Comparing the outcomes of the developed regional equation with the previously presented global equations showed that the proposed equation provides more accurate estimation of the number of fatalities in the study area. Finally, it can be concluded that in spite of existence of general relationships to estimate flash floods fatalities, developing a regional equation will be more accurate and practical for the watersheds with high flood fatality potential.