The Inventory and Characterization of Torrential Flood Phenomenon in Serbia

Abstract

Torrential floods are the most destructive and most frequent natural disasters in Serbia with severe social, economic, cultural, and environmental consequences that deserve special attention. This paper presents a data-collection strategy and data analysis in terms of spatial and temporal characterization of the torrential flood phenomenon in Serbia for the last 99 years. Based on the available information obtained from various reliable sources, we registered 848 torrential flood events for 1915-2013. The registered number of deaths from torrential floods is over 133, including 24 people from 1991 to 2010. Monthly distribution of registered torrential floods indicates that the majority of floods occurred in Serbian territory in late spring (from May to the end of June) and the greatest number of torrential floods is registered in Southern Morava basin. This work resulted in creating a first inventory of torrential floods in Serbia and its analysis for the purpose of the spatial and temporal distribution and characterization of this phenomenon. The inventory on torrential floods will be integrated in future in a unique multi-user database on natural hazards in Serbia, and it should become a part of the European database of natural hazards.