Hydrological Modelling of Flash Flood at Wadi Samail, Oman

Abstract

In the arid regions, flash floods are among the most devastating hazards in terms of human losses and economical damages. On the other hand, however, flash floodwater can be an important source of water in arid environments. Unfortunately, there is often a lack of data on key hydrological processes in arid areas. This limits the ability to understand the flash flood process and use this knowledge to minimize its threat. Oman is one of arid countries that mainly faces flash flood in the coastal drainage systems. Wadi Samail (W. Samail) in the north coast of Oman is selected as a case study for flash flood hydrological modelling. Computation is carried out using sophisticated techniques where remote sensing data used with Rainfall Runoff Inundation Model (RRI) to simulate several flash flood events at W. Samail and compare between different mitigation measures options. DEM data and satellite imagery have been used to propose suitable locations of dams based on available reservoirs total volumes and delineated watershed.