Spatiotemporal variation of flash floods in the Hengduan Mountains region affected by rainfall properties and land use

Xiaoyun Sun, Guotao Zhang, Jiao Wang (), Chaoyue Li, Shengnan Wu and Yao Li
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Xiaoyun Sun: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Guotao Zhang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Jiao Wang: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chaoyue Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences
Shengnan Wu: Chongqing Institute of Public Administration
Yao Li: Chinese Academy of Sciences

Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, 2022, vol. 111, issue 1, No 20, 465-488

Abstract: Abstract Understanding the spatiotemporal characteristics of flash floods is important for reasonable and accurate identification of high-risk regions and for prediction of future hydrological regimes. Therefore, using time series datasets (1979–2015) of historical flash flood events, rainfall, and land use in the Hengduan Mountains region (HMR) of China, this study analyzed the effects of changes in precipitation and land use on spatiotemporal variation of flash floods. Analysis of the linear trend revealed that flash floods increased by 12 events/10 years and that 82% of events occurred in the flood season (June–August). The increase in flash flood events was found closely correlated with the increased frequency (rainstorm days increased by 3.5 d/10 years) and magnitude (rainstorm amount increased by 10.2 mm/10 years) of heavy rainfall as well as the expansion of the area of artificial surfaces (increase of 999 km2). Morlet wavelet analysis revealed significant periodic variation in the occurrence of flash floods on scales of 3–7, 8–15, and 21–31 years. On the basis of the standard elliptical difference, we identified displacement of the center of gravity of flash flooding from the northwest toward the southeast. Generally, more disasters were recorded in southern parts of the HMR owing to the frequent occurrence of rainstorms and the increase in area of both cultivated land and artificial surfaces with higher runoff potential. These findings improve understanding regarding the spatiotemporal dynamics of flash floods in the HMR and could support policymakers in identifying high-risk areas in mountainous watershed.

Keywords: Flash flood; Spatiotemporal variation; Heavy rainfall; Cultivated land; The Hengduan Mountains (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1007/s11069-021-05061-5

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