ABSTRACT
Hydrometeorological hazards are among the most recurring and devastating natural hazards, impacting human lives and causing severe economic damage throughout the world. It is understood that flood risks will not subside in the future and with the onset of climate change, flood intensity and frequency will threaten many regions of the world (Jonkman, 2005; McCarthy, 2001). The current trend and future scenarios of flood risks demand accurate spatial and temporal information on the flood hazards and risks, particularly in emerging economies. Natural hazards commonly cause loss of life and bring about extensive economic losses and social disruptions. Floods cannot be completely controlled by structural means, but the impacts and aftereffects can be managed by developing effective risk reduction strategies through application of geospatial tools and decision-support systems. Implementation of a flood prediction system can potentially help mitigate flood-induced hazards. Such a system typically requires implementation and calibration of a hydrologic model using in situ observations (e.g., rain gauges and stream gauges).
