Evaluation of Fast Flood Diffusion through a Drainage Channel: A Flood Disaster Case Study of Japan’s Kinugawa River, September 10, 2015

Abstract

On September 10, 2015, unprecedented flood was occurred in Kinugawa River basin located on eastern Japan. It inundated 40 km2 of flood plain in Joso city, Ibaraki Prefecture, and more than 4000 people there called for help despite supposedly having sufficient time to evacuate. Some said that small initial flood before main severe flood arrived made them make a mistake in deciding whether to evacuate or stay there, despite having to actually evacuate in reality. This study focused on flood behaviour in this area, in particular, the effect of a small drainage channel lying on the flood plain which caused fast flood diffusion in case of occurring huge overflowing. Field investigations starting on time of the disaster with high-resolution positioning system were conducted to obtain spatial maps of flood depth and height. For appropriate modelling of the effect of small channel, we applied simulation model coupling 1-dimensional (1D) and 2-dimensional (2D) hydraulic scheme on the field and compared results from the 1D/2D coupled model and model without 1D scheme. The models provided information that the flood could reach 4 hours earlier to the city central of Joso city comparing in case of model without 1D scheme. The water depth rose irregularly and it was more confusing and difficult for the victims to make appropriate evacuation act.