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Arid Land Geography ›› 2020, Vol. 43 ›› Issue (4): 859-870.doi: 10.12118/j.issn.1000-6060.2020.04.01

• Climatology and Hydrology •     Next Articles

Risk and impact zoning of different return period flash flood disasters in Yinchuan Section of Helan Mountain

CUI Yang1,2, CHANG Zhuo-lin1,3, ZUO He-jiang1,2, WANG Jian-ying1   

  1. 1 Key Laboratory of Meteorological Disaster Preventing and Reducing in Ningxia,Yinchuan 750002,Ningxia,China;
    2 Ningxia Climate Center,Yinchuan 750002,Ningxia,China;
    3 Ningxia Meteorological Disaster Prevention Technology Center,Yinchuan 750002,Ningxia,China
  • Received:2019-10-01 Revised:2020-02-29 Online:2020-07-25 Published:2020-11-18

Abstract: In order to assess the impacts and risks associated with flash flood disasters in the Yinchuan section of the Helan Mountain,Ningxia Province,China,we considered a high-resolution digital elevation model (DEM),as well as information on the administrative divisions,the distribution of torrents,the historical precipitation data from automatic weather stations,and socioeconomic information (e.g., on residential areas,schools,and bridges). The risk distribution characteristics of flash flood disasters over the Yinchuan section of the Helan Mountain and their impact on the population,land use,and gross domestic product (GDP) were analyzed and assessed by a FloodArea model simulation and an ArcGIS spatial overlay statistical analysis. The results showed the following:(1) The areas subjected to a low,medium,and high risk of flash flood disasters with a return period of 10-100 a were of 109.5-276.3 km2,45.0-231.0 km2,and 13.4-204.3 km2,respectively; moreover,the zoning areas of flash flood disasters with the same risk level showed a significant increase with the lengthening of the return period. (2) The areas of the Helan Mountain subjected to the risk of flash flood disasters with return periods of 10 a and 20 a were mainly located in correspondence and on the sides of flood ditches (at altitudes of 1 130-1 450 m); moreover,those subjected to the risk of flash flood disasters with return periods of 50 a were mainly located downstream of the flood ditches and in correspondence of an impact fan along the mountain front (at altitudes of 1 130-1 180 m). The areas at risk of flash flood disasters with return periods of 100 a were located at altitudes of 1 120-1 350 m and in correspondence of the impact fan along the mountain front. Overall,with the increase of the return period,the zones of the Helan Mountain at risk of flash flood disasters showed a significant slow (fast) expansion toward the upstream (downstream) area. (3) In Yinchuan City,~73 000,98 700,165 300,and 239 000 people will be affected by flash flood disasters with return periods of 10 a,20 a,50 a,and 100 a,respectively. With the increase of the return period of flash flood disasters,the number of people affected by them and living around the Helan Mountain grew significantly (growth rates: -12.4% to 20.5%,48.6% to 91.8%,and 163% to 300% in the low,medium,and high risk areas,respectively). (4) Farmlands and grasslands were the most affected by flash flood disasters that originated on the Helan Mountain: together,they accounted for 82.1%-86.9% of the total affected area. They were followed by construction and cultivated lands,which accounted for 4.4%-9.1% and 1.1%-4.6% of the total affected area,respectively. These lands are key for the prevention of flash flood disasters (originated on the Helan Mountain) in Yinchuan City. (5) In Yinchuan City,the total GDP was affected by flash flood disasters with return periods of 10 a,20 a,50 a,and 100 a that occurred in medium- and high-risk areas. The GDP losses corresponded to 1.12 billion,2.00 billion,4.70 billion,and 8.74 billion yuan,respectively. In case of flash flood disasters with return periods>50 a,the agricultural/industrial industries,infrastructures,and public facilities located in Yinchuan City (close to the mountain) will suffer great economic losses.

Key words: flash flood disaster, risk and impact zoning, FloodArea model, ArcGIS, Yinchuan section of Helan Mountain