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УДК 911.9
Effective water management, capacity building and increase of awareness for mitigation of impact of floods
in Аzerbaijan
Karimov Rovshan Nariman oglu - a leading researcher at the Institute of Geography of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences ([email protected]).
Abstract: in scientific work explores interventions to ensure environmental security and advance protection and economic activity from the devastating effects of the floods on the territory of the Azerbaijan Republic. The purpose of the article is the study and analysis of opportunities for the development of awareness-raising and capacity-building for the effective management of the elements in the study area. In this regard, analyses the problem of rational water management, the ability to create and develop an early warning system on floods, assesses the sustainability and profitability of intervention. As a result of the study, recommendations for mitigating the impact of possible floods in the future are given.
Keywords: water management, hydraulic engineering
Эффективное управление водным хозяйством, наращивание потенциала и повышение осведомленности для смягчения влияния наводнений в Азербайджане
Керимов Ровшан Нариман Оглы - ведущий научный сотрудник Института Географии НАН Азербайджана (rovshaneco @ yahoo.com).
Аннотации: в научной работе исследуются меры вмешательства по обеспечению экологической безопасности и забла-
говременному защиты населения и их экономической деятельности от разрушительных влияний наводнений на территории Азербайджанской Республики. Целью статьи является изучение и анализ возможностей по развитию повышения осведомленности и созданию потенциала для эффективного управления стихией на исследуемой территории. В этой связи, анализируются проблема рационального управления водным хозяйством, возможность создания и развития системы раннего предупреждения по наводнениям, проводится оценка устойчивости и рентабельности мер вмешательства. Как результат исследования, даются рекомендации по смягчению влияния возможных наводнений в будущем.
Ключевые слова: водное хозяйство, гидротехнический
Introduction:
Azerbaijan is a country where floods may regularly emerge due to existing natural condition and factors. Floods typically occur in the central parts of Kura-Araz lowland and the regions along with the lower flow of the rivers of Kura and Araz much more, and are responsible for the destruction of living houses and industrial facilities, as well as sometimes the migration of population from these places (3). As practice shows, human factor has an impact on intensity and destructive power of floods in the territory. In this regard, relevant system of water management must be organized, considering efficiency of active and passive methods of preventive measures, as well as geological and engineering condition and peculiarities of water regime (1, 2).
Floods in the rivers of Kura and Araz were causing to the emergence of huge economic loss and destructions throughout history of Azerbaijan. The more influential floods happened in 1967, 1969, 1979, 1982, 1987, 1993, 1997, 2002, 2003 and 2010 years (5). The last devastating flood, emerg-
ing in 2010, is considered as the hardest in terms of destructive power and scale of negative results. Thus, floods were responsible for economic losses much more at 40 percent of the territory of Azerbaijan, where low flows of the rivers of Kura and Araz encompasses the flat area. This kind of natural catastrophe is typically observed in the 300 km-long area between Mingachevir Reservoir, and the mouth of Kura River, including lower part of Araz River. Hundreds of hectares of agricultural lands were destroyed, and living houses, farms, highways and partially industrial enterprises were de-structed. In particular, 8 administrative regions of the country saw considerable destructions. As a result of floods, 24,5 thousand people were obliged to move from their home villages to another safer areas in Sabirabad, Saatli and Imishli regions (3). Eventually, 5 new settlements were created, whereas over 3 thousand houses and around hundred social facilities were reconstructed by the government. 315779 thousand Azerbaijani manats were spent by government for all restoration works, including 207439 thousand manats for the construction of living houses (7).
The flood that happened in 2010 raised a question about necessity of increasing effectiveness of flood management works, including capacity building and increase of awareness in water storages. In this paper, the mechanisms and ways of relevant capacity building and increase of awareness are investigated and analyzed.
Methods of study and solution of problem
Construction of hydrotechnical buildings of special purpose in the rivers play significant role in preventing floods in Azerbaijan. Most of them are being constructed with taking into consideration interests of sub-branches of water management. As some experts think, the prevention of flood-related destructions requires the regulation of flow in the
Kura and Araz Rivers, tap of flood waters, the regulation of surface flow, the correction and straightening of river beds, deepening, construction of coast-protecting buildings, the pouring of sand, combined methods of prevention, etc. (2,6). Experience of developed countries in struggling floods shows that much more economic effect can be gained if conducted works bear complex character. Meanwhile, higher related efficiency can be gained in case of simultaneous application of active methods (such as regulation of flow in riverbeds and areas of water-collecting basins) and passive methods (damming, straightening, deepening, forestation and others) of struggle (6).
Value of inundated territories depends on intensity of mastering of them in agriculture, and therefore, the needs in preventive works and measures of restoration are defined in accordance with relevant evaluation. Thus, preference in capacity building and restoration should be paid to those areas where paces of development of productive forces are higher. In this regard, many intensive preventive works against floods should to be conducted firstly in those areas where economic activity is much efficient and productive. Scientifically substantiated approach would properly define methods and ways of control measures, with comprehensive consideration of local condition and optimum parameters of preventive buildings as well.
The determination of economic effect of hydrotechnical buildings constructed in order to prevent floods must be carried with taking into account the followings: 1) determination of flood-related losses; 2) selection of applicable parameters of the buildings; 3) defining of economic efficiency of planned buildings with and also without other branches of water economics.
Meanwhile, the more disputable problem is the measurement of losses, being experienced due to inundations, as there is no unique and commonly acceptable system of relevant accounting in the country. In connection with uncertainty regarding method of calculation of losses, designers face difficulties to define more preferable hydrotechnical buildings against floods and their economic efficiency. Regretfully, in case of assessment of economic efficiency of hydrotechnical buildings, the emphasis is laid upon not on the determination of losses. In this connection, sizes of these buildings in some cases may not be preferable indeed. This issue is also topical, as researchers on melioration offer to determine efficient distribution and use of assigned finances in order to ecologically and economically substantiating planned works of melioration in territories exposed to flooding.
Readiness to natural catastrophe means first of all the analysis of reasons of its emergence in order to avoid repeat of this event and mitigate its influence, and empower abilities of impediment against its impact. This is particularly urgent for vulnerable households. Readiness to natural catastrophe includes also capacity building for solution of crisis. This effort is directly connected with systems of early notification (increase of awareness) in regions exposed to natural disasters. System of early notification includes regular collection and analysis of relevant information, and also measurements aiming at preparation works and mitigation of natural disasters, such as:
- Prognostication of factors of risk through identification and compiling of maps where main threats are to be indicated;
- Assessment of geographical location of regions exposed to seasonal factors of risk;
- Determination of communities that face higher risk of flood;
- Evaluation of auspicious opportunities and mechanisms helpful for vulnerable population in avoiding destructive power of floods, as well as assessment of available potential against factors of risk.
- Determination of gaps in existing plans of provision of preparedness, as well as implementation of works among persons able to develop relevant policy in order to prepare plans on mitigation of floods' impact on vulnerable group of population.
Plan on providing early awareness and preparation to natural catastrophes is being worked out with purpose of minimization of adverse consequences of these events, and also because of necessity of securing condition for in-time, adequate and sufficient organization and implementation of reciprocal measures. Such plan should be an integral part of long-term strategy of development rather than be a just swift action taken right after emergence of floods or other natural catastrophe.
Provision of preparedness to floods must include definite elements in order to successfully implement reciprocal measures, including:
1) Reliable assessment of needs for the defining 'who is doing?', 'what is being done?' and 'where is being done?' within plan of humanitarian action; 2) Appropriate preparation of personnel and in-time supply of instruments for implementation of reciprocal measures in extreme situation; 3) Keeping general instruments ready, used in condition of floods and heavy emergencies; 4) Preparation of mechanisms of financing for timely delivery of required moneys; 5) Creation of data management network to be conducted by key persons who takes decision, etc.
In condition of higher population growth, water in higher volume is required in Azerbaijan year by year. Needs in water in hydropower, as well as demand for fishing products also makes necessary use water rationally. Regulation of water resources at artificial reservoirs is particularly topical. There are over 100 water reservoirs on Kura River, of which the largest are Mingachevir, Shamkir, Yenikend, Varvara, Araz, H.Aliyev, Agstafa, Arpachay, Sarsang, Ayrichay and Jandargol. However, floods continue to happen periodically in Kura, while the water reservoirs are not capable to efficiently prevent emergence of natural disasters. Some experts suggest that the key issue is not only the condition of hydrotechnical buildings but also much more efficient use of water resources of the country (4). Efficient use of water resources is a key factor in prevention of destructive power of flood and effective management of this event, including mitigation activity, capacity building and increase of awareness in areas of high risk.
Conclusion and recommendations Considering that floods in Azerbaijan emerge within indefinite interval of time, impacts of possible floods can be mitigated through:
1. Coordination of operation of the water reservoirs on Kura so that accumulation of flood waters there would be possible. 2. Conduction of regular survey on condition of dams on the banks, as well as fastening activities along banks of rivers. 3. Deepening and purification in riverbed of lower Kura (between the place of junction Araz and Kura, and delta of Kura) in order to facilitate outflow of water into the Caspian Sea, including outflow of water through the three (arterial, north-eastern and south-western) tributaries of Kura River. 4. Conduct deepening in the sea part of Kura's delta for avoiding the emergence of silt mass able to impede the
outflow of water. 5. Purification and reconstruction of collector and drainage network to avoid rise of underground salty waters; construction of local deeper collectors near settlements which are far off drainage network in order to outflow underground water. 6. Emphasizing prevention of potential floods on the right banks of Kura and Araz, as the practice shows that big inundations usually have been taking place in these areas. 7. Control the condition of rivers of Kura and Araz, and keep local population informed in this connection during inundation; as well as creation and improvement of relevant hydrometeorological monitoring network in the Kura basin with construction of new hydrological points in the large lakes and reservoirs.
It would be useful manage information about reserves of snow and their physical condition in mountainous areas, located in the territory of water-collecting basin of Kura River (preferably in neighboring countries) before the emergence of spring flooding. This seems necessary in terms of evaluation of scale and continuity of inundation.
In order to curb influence of floods on socioeconomic development and especially the population of rural settlements, the followings are recommended:
1. Purification and reconstruction of irrigational and collector-drainage systems so that the coefficient of useful activity will correspond to contemporary requirements of irrigation. 2. Shielding of surface of channels with water-proof material as much as possible in order to prevent filtration of water through channels. 3. Elongation of length of collectors and drainage networks, taking into consideration the rise of underground waters, which will able to impede draining rate of irrigated fields. 4. Shunning of irrational methods of irrigation such as furrow, turning on, and pass to modern efficient ways like splashing or dripping irrigation, capable to
prevent elevation of underground waters as well as increase soil fertility and prevent erosion.
There is a definite interrelation between economic losses and anti-flood measures. Inundated zones as usual are being mastered at less extent compared to available opportunities because of weakness of carried anti-flood measures. On the other hand, zones of inundation are not being considered as targets of preventive measures as they are economically less-developed (6).
Planning of anti-flood hydrotechnical buildings must be launched with economic substantiation. Financial capacity of the planned building works defines the expected economic effect, equivalent to losses. The main factors that influence the volume of loss are:
a) Continuity of stagnation of flood waters. The longer time inundation (pond) is observed, the more losses are seen; b) Pace of growth of costs: in case of more gradual rise of water and emergence of flood, losses can be reduced due to the timely implementation of precautionary measures; c) Frequency of repeat of flood. Usually losses are lesser if flood is repeated; d) Time of emergence of floods: losses in agriculture are much less if flood happened after reaping and picking crop rather than earlier.
Meanwhile, the potential hearths of flood must be determined in the territory of country, and the respective mapping must be carried with application of contemporary methods and technologies. The new compiled maps must include areas of high risk of flood with the purpose of promoting further activities against floods. The conduction of monitoring of floods and the creation of network of early notification for settlements can successfully serve for security of population, environment and agriculture. In the meantime, the preparation and the adoption of National Plan on natural disasters,
including floods and also their consequences, are needed. This plan may be an integral part of State Program on melioration, irrigation and water management. Taking into consideration of experience of developed countries in flood management, relevant actions on increase of awareness and capacity building would be useful as well.
Библиографический указатель:
1. Babakhanov N.A. Are natural disasters tamable? Baku. 2006, pp. 45-47.
2. Ибадзаде Ю.А. Опыт борьбы с наводнениями. Баку, Изд-во Академии сельскохозяйственных наук, 1960, 208 с.
3. Керимов Р.Н. Экологическая миграция в Кура-Аразской низменности: проблемы адаптации и реабилитации эко-мигрантов // Научно-анал. журн. «Научная перспектива». Уфа, 2015, №7, с.58-62.
4. Мамедов В.А. Экогидрологические проблемы озер Куринской впадины и основные принципы их регулирования. Баку, 2011, 340 c.
5. Musayeva M. Inundations in the Kura River. International Journal of Business, Humanities and Technology. Vol. 3 No. 3; March 2013, pp. 70-73.
6. Мустафаев И.И., Керимов Р.Н., Мамедов В.А., Наджафова Г.Дж. и др. Eco-миграция в Азербайджане -Тенденция, динамика и проблемы. Проект Caucasus En-vironemntal NGO и Ruzgar NGO при поддержке ЕС. Баку, 2013, 94 с.
7. www.fhn.gov.az (official web-site of Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Azerbaijan).
Об авторе:
Керимов Ровшан Нариман Оглы - ведущий научный сотрудник Института Географии НАН Азербайджана ([email protected]).
About the author:
Karimov Rovshan Nariman oglu - a leading researcher at the Institute of Geography of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences ([email protected]).
