The Necessity of Updating IDF Curves for the Sharjah Emirate, UAE: A Comparative Analysis of 2020 IDF Values in Light of Recent Urban Flooding (April 2024)
Khalid B. Almheiri, Rabee Rustum, Grant Wright, Adebayo J. Adeloye
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
In the arid Arabian Peninsula, particularly within the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the perception of rainfall has shifted from a natural blessing to a significant challenge for infrastructure and community resilience. The unprecedented storm on 17 April 2024, exposed critical vulnerabilities in the UAE’s urban infrastructure and flood management practices, revealing substantial gaps in handling accumulated precipitation. This study addresses the necessity of updating the Intensity–Duration–Frequency (IDF) curves for the Sharjah Emirate by utilizing recent precipitation data from 2021 to April 2024, alongside previously published 2020 data. By recalibrating the IDF curves based on data from three meteorological stations, this study reveals a substantial increase in rainfall intensities across all durations and return periods. Rainfall intensities increased by an average of 36.76% in Sharjah, 26.52% in Al Dhaid, and 17.55% in Mleiha. These increases indicate a trend towards more severe and frequent rainfall events, emphasizing the urgent need to revise hydrological models and infrastructure designs to enhance flood resilience. This study contributes valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and disaster management authorities in the UAE and similar regions worldwide.
期刊介绍:
Water (ISSN 2073-4441) is an international and cross-disciplinary scholarly journal covering all aspects of water including water science and technology, and the hydrology, ecology and management of water resources. It publishes regular research papers, critical reviews and short communications, and there is no restriction on the length of the papers. Our aim is to encourage scientists to publish their experimental and theoretical research in as much detail as possible. Full experimental and/or methodical details must be provided for research articles. Computed data or files regarding the full details of the experimental procedure, if unable to be published in a normal way, can be deposited as supplementary material.