The Wadi Flash Flood Network (WaFFNet)

Welcome message

Welcome to the Wadi Flash Flood Network
(MENA-WaFFNet).

Fig. 1 Research network and collaboration

‘Wadi’ is an Arabic word that is commonly used to refer to dry stream channels and ephemeral streams or valleys typically of arid zones, such as in Middle East and North Africa (MNA) countries. Sustainable management of “wadi” flash flood (WFF) hazards and risks is desperately critical to secure development in wadi systems. Due to rapid flow inundation with sudden high flood peaks, spatio-temporal variability and locality of rainfall occurrence, and poorly sited rapid development, most Middle East and North Africa (MENA) arid areas have no comprehensive proper protection from WFFs. In such arid regions, single mitigation measures including storage dams, recharge dams, artificial lakes and embankments are implemented, although soft mitigation measures such as early warning systems remain very rare. The single management strategy under climate change impacts is not adequate to reduce flash flood hazards and risks; an integrated strategy is required in most wadi systems.

The applicant team of Kyoto University, initiated an international symposium on “Wadi” Flash Flood (WaFF) and established separated research activities with various MNA countries, including Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, and Oman. Existing collaborative research in Egypt, Oman, Jordan and Morocco provides a great opportunity to enhance cooperation focusing in MNA region where disaster risk reduction aspects can be studied jointly. We want to foster young researchers and graduate students. Our aim of this Core-to-Core project is to connect the developed separated efforts in the MNA region for flooding research studies, sharing achievements, extending collaboration and initiate new Middle East and North Africa “wadi” flash flood Network {MNA-WaFFNet} for Advancing Flood Risk Science and Database. The MNA-WaFFNet is unique network platform for the discussion of interdisciplinary problems and approaches of flash flood and disaster risk management. Japanese methodology and technology of disaster risk reduction and integrated approaches for flood management have been implemented in practice in Japan. By using Japanese side experiences in monitoring, modeling techniques and understanding processes related to hydrology, flood management, early warning, climate change effects, we wish to address long term effects coming up with a feasible strategy to reduce the disaster risk in MNA region. Later these experiences could be expanded to another African Wadi’s. We have limited resources and Core-to-Core will contribute to establish Center of Excellence for integrated flood management networking and fostering young researcher to be leaders in the domain. The MNA-WaFFNet aims at promoting academic knowledge and technology transfer for flood risk management through scientific exchanges between Japanese Universities as (Kyoto university, Miyazaki University, Tohoku University and ARENA Center of University of Tsukuba, ICHARM, Kyoto University of Advanced technology) and universities/research institutions from the MNA region, including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, Oman, and UAE. To do so, the project targets to achieve the following goals:

Implementing an International research center for advancing Flood risk science and database in collaboration with DPRI and research centers of 10 countries working on flood issues in Asia and Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Soudan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Jordan, Yemen)
Forming a platform for networking and sharing experiences and data among some Asia and MNA countries, scientists and authorities,
Stimulating cooperation among researchers in fundamental and applied sciences towards integrated flash flood management research,
Introducing Japanese technologies to help in flash flood protection and water harvesting,
Development of tools for flood data acquisition, treatment and flood modeling tailored to the specific hydrometeorological and geomorphologic features of most vulnerable and poorly gauged watersheds in each partners country.
Development of new creative ideas and projects to adapt to and mitigate flash flood.
Networking and knowledge exchange on advances in flood risk management in order to enable both experienced and young researchers to improve the accuracy of flood risk predictions and therefore find relevant solutions adapted to local environments of each partners country.

We have already excellent communication with collaborators from universities within the target Asian and MNA countries and related authorities, and research institutes. At Kyoto University, we organized the 1st International Symposium on Flash Floods in Wadi Systems (ISFF), from 14-15 October 2015, to investigate flash flood disasters, to implement new research methodologies, and to emphasize transdisciplinary approaches in this ever more important field of research. The goal of the event was to bring together experts from governments, universities, and companies in the flash flood field from Japan, Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Europe to provide a platform to present the current areas of investigation, especially in the fields of atmospheric and water-related disaster and integrated disaster risk management, to encourage the formation of joint research cooperation programmes.

If you are interested to be one of our future partners for any related projects, please contact us.

Objectives

The main aim of this Core-to-Core project is to connect the developed separated efforts in the MNA region for flooding research studies, sharing achievements, extending collaboration and initiate new Middle East and North Africa “wadi” flash flood Network {MENA-WaFFNet} for Advancing Flood Risk Science and Database. The MENA-WaFFNet is unique network platform for the discussion of interdisciplinary problems and approaches of flash flood and disaster risk management. The MENA-WaFFNet aims at promoting academic knowledge and technology transfer for flood risk management through scientific exchanges between Japanese Universities as (Kyoto university, Miyazaki University, Tohoku University and ARENA Center of University of Tsukuba, ICHARM, Kyoto University of Advanced technology) and universities/research institutions from the MNA region, including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, Oman, and UAE. The main project goals are: 1) Implementing an International research center for advancing Flood risk science and database in collaboration with DPRI and research centers of 10 countries working on flood issues in Asia and Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Soudan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Jordan, Yemen). 2) a platform for networking and sharing experiences and data among the collborative countries. 3) Stimulating the colboration research especialy for the WFFs Management. 4) Transfer technology, and foseting yeoung researchers, etc.

Figure 2.1 Research challenges can add here

Future Prospective

The expected out comes and future prospective are listed as follows:

The proposed network MENA-WaFFNet will result in an innovative framework for scientific understanding of flash flood risk, monitor, mitigate and plan sustainable development. The results will help in the complex decision-making processes involved in the integrated management of flood, especially for water harvesting, urban development, and policy analysis. The expected promising research results will be strengthening the modelling, monitoring and opening investigations portfolio to other small or large Wadi basins in MENA. The presence of international experts, post-Doc researchers, PhD, and MSc students in hydrological modelling, urban flood management, environmental, monitoring, risk maps and flash flood management creates a mutually enriching inter-disciplinary environment that favors the practicing of students that will form a generation of government, industry and university scientists, engineers, and managers. Fostering young researchers, and students from Japan and MENA countries to practice leadership, innovation, equip them with various tools for the competitive job market and enhance their career development. Looking for additional funds for the MENA-WaFFNet network counterparts such as from European fund, Horizon 2020. Cooperating with other global flood programmes such as IPCC and to expand our collaborative network with other ASIAN countries. Training for the young researchers and stakeholders, policy makers, local communities through seminars and workshops. Training of researchers about the new technology and operational methods uses in other countries affected by floods.

List should be updated