Analysis of Rainfall System, Leading to Floods in July 2015 in Saghez City in Kurdistan Province

Floods are among inevitable hazards but its frequencies and volumes can be varied due to climate change. A comprehensive analysis of synoptic status can be useful for predicting similar events in the future. It is therefore very important for a good environmental management. Flash flood of July 2015 in Saghez was a catastrophe and did severe damage. In order to analyze the catastrophic precipitation, sea level pressure, 300 hPa, 500 hPa, 700 hPa, 850 hPa maps along with Omega, perceptible water map and humidity maps were investigated and analyzed, starting two days before the rainfall until the end of rainfall and even a day after. Results show that immigrant European high-pressure system along with Arabian low-pressure tongue have caused intense rainfall during the day. Mediterranean Sea, black sea and red sea have been effective in enhancing the system too. A day before the rainfall, at surface level, a high-pressure European system from the North West and the low-pressure tongue from the south west were approaching the country and the combination of these two systems have caused intense rainfall on the region. Ag the higher level, trough axis was over Turkey, Iraq and Persian Gulf. Short waves displacements along with change in axis positioning eastward caused pressure centers in the surface level to get closer. At this time, all the western part was located under the eastern axis short wave trough, causing intensifying instabilities along with uplifting humid weather and finally a catastrophic intense rainfall on Saghez and its surroundings on July 18 2015. It is important to pay attention to comprehensive watershed management as one of the major strategies for adaptation and resilience in flood-prone areas.