Evaluating the 4th November 2015 Flash Flood Disaster : A Case Study in Wadi An-Natrun and Wadi Al-Farigh Depressions, The Western Desert, Egypt

Abstract

Flash floods are among natural hazards frequently recorded in Egyptian deserts. By the November 4, 2015 a sever flash flood hit the northwestern part of the Nile Delta and the surrounding desert margin in Wadi An-Natrun and Wadi Al-Farigh Depressions. This event left large economic damage and fatalities. In the current study, field work has been carried out in disaster sites, namely in Wadi An-Natrun and Wadi Al-Farigh. This allows a detailed observation of flood impacts. Also Landsat-based spectral indices and GIS change detection operations are utilized in quantifying damage. It is found that physical factors such as exceptional rainfall event and topography control flood runoff and inundation. Moreover, miss-land use in the study area yields a disastrous flash flood.