THE SIGNIFICANCE OF FLOODS IN TURKEY AND RELATED STUDIES
Throughout history, natural disasters have caused irreparable human and material losses, with floods being among the most significant. While floods have inflicted considerable harm on humanity, taking proactive measures beforehand can help mitigate potential damages. Furthermore, by implementing necessary precautions, rainfall that typically leads to surface runoff can be transformed into an opportunity.
İstanbul Gedik University Faculty of Engineering faculty member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Redvan Ghasemlounia and Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University faculty member Dr. Mustafa UTLU have been conducting studies within the scope of scientific research projects on flood-prone regions and potential flood basins in Turkey in recent years. They have published their findings in leading international journals.
As part of these efforts, in 2020, a significant study was conducted focusing on drainage morphometry and basin flood potential scaling. Thirty-five different basins were selected in the alluvial plain formed by the Aras River and its sub-basins in Iğdır Province, located in Turkey’s Eastern Anatolia Region. The selected area has experienced significant floods in recent years.
Using data collected from the region, the flood potential of the basins was analyzed and scaled with two methods: Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Morphometry Analysis. The Morphometry Analysis results categorized 8 basins as high-priority, 17 as medium-priority, and 11 as low-priority. On the other hand, PCA results indicated 12 basins as high-priority, 15 as medium-priority, and 8 as low-priority. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Redvan Ghasemlounia emphasized the importance of taking precautions in areas identified as high flood potential zones based on the prioritization study results. He highlighted that such measures could significantly reduce potential loss of life and property caused by sudden downpours.
In 2021, another study by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Redvan Ghasemlounia and Dr. Mustafa UTLU focused on the Harşit River Basin, located in the Eastern Black Sea region and encompassing Turkey’s Giresun and Gümüşhane provinces. This study evaluated the flood dynamics of 26 sub-basins, each covering an area larger than 10 square kilometers, based on their morphometric characteristics. A total of 20 different indices were considered for these sub-basins.
The researchers emphasized the impact of floods in this region in recent years and applied two methods in addition to their novel approach, the “Redvan Prioritization Ranking Method (RPRM).” By analyzing these methods collectively, they identified the flood priorities of the sub-basins. This comprehensive evaluation contributes to understanding and mitigating flood risks in these high-priority areas.
On August 5, 2020, a flood incident occurred in Doğankent, causing significant damage and losses. Based on the findings of this study, the results obtained from morphometric parameters were evaluated using statistical techniques to determine flood priorities.
Dr. Redvan Ghasemlounia and Dr. Mustafa UTLU emphasized that, among the three methods used, five sub-basins consistently fell into the high flood-risk potential category. They stressed the urgent necessity of taking immediate preventive measures in these high-priority sub-basins to mitigate future risks.
In May 2023, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Redvan Ghasemlounia and Dr. Mustafa UTLU initiated the first phase of the project titled “Development of Flood Susceptibility Analyses in Şanlıurfa Province Based on Machine Learning and Various Statistical Methods”, supported by İstanbul Gedik University’s scientific research projects.
As part of this study, they have been conducting fieldwork and collecting data using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in Şanlıurfa (Central) and surrounding areas. These regions experienced a severe flood event on March 14-15, 2023, which resulted in the loss of 18 lives and injuries to many others. Their efforts aim to better understand the flood dynamics in these areas and develop advanced methods for flood susceptibility analysis.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Redvan Ghasemlounia emphasized that “the risk and hazard maps derived from past, ongoing, and future studies on floods are of critical importance. These maps will aid both public institutions and other organizations in mitigating risks, preventing areas that pose threats to human life and property from becoming high-risk zones, and implementing necessary measures to address these hazards.”
