Assessing Vulnerability to Flash Floods in Greater Khartoum, Sudan: An Integrated Approach.

Abakar, Noreldeen Hassan; Al-Anbaawy, Mohamed Ibrahim; Abdelrahman, El Sheikh; Nassar, Tamer

doi:10.21608/egjg.2025.370827.1108

Assessing Vulnerability to Flash Floods in Greater Khartoum, Sudan: An Integrated Approach.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Geology Department, Faculty of Sciences, Cairo University, Egypt

² Faculty of Petroleum and Minerals, Al Neelain Unversity, Sudan

³ Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Egypt

10.21608/egjg.2025.370827.1108

Abstract

The research paper investigates the vulnerability of Greater Khartoum to flash floods triggered by intense rainstorms, which may become more frequent due to climate change and sand dunes/encroachment. The study uses geo-environmental mapping, observational fieldwork, Remote Sensing, GIS techniques, watershed analysis, and climatic data interpretation to identify the area as more susceptible to flash floods than to river flooding and sand dunes/encroachment. A multi-hazard impact assessment was performed using natural and human causative factors. Integrated geological, climatic, and land use factors were discussed. The growth of the Khartoum, Omdurman, and Khartoum Bahri areas without proper urban and agricultural plans has created severe negative impacts on public communities and cultural heritage in archaeological sites west of the White Nile banks. The paper proposes two geomorphological risk models: Nile floodplain/terraces (N) and hilly deserts (H) for risk assessment. The complex nature of risk assessment due to changeable environmental factors necessitates an integrated approach. The study also suggests multiple management procedures to mitigate the predicted negative impacts of runoff floods due to the area's changeable land use and climate conditions.

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