Examining the Effects of a Flood Event in the Lower Ceyhan Basin in 1980 Using Historical Satellite Data

Abstract

Analysis of past flood events contributes forecasting of effects of future flood events. Flood maps have been created in order to assess flood hazards in planning projects and to identify flood-inundated regions with flood damage following flood occurrences. Flood mapping in the context of flood monitoring enables development of flood management strategies to protect life and property. Although conventional terrestrial observations and measurements in flood control have been constrained by topographical and meteorological circumstances, remote sensing provides decision support with quick analysis capability. The flood event that occurred in the Lower Ceyhan Basin of Turkey in 1980 was examined in this work utilizing satellite-based remote sensing techniques, and flood inundation areas were calculated using NDWI (Normalized Difference Water Index). As a result, it was determined that 3493.45 ha in the north of Karataş in the Lower Ceyhan Plain, 7799.42 ha between Bahçe, Akdeniz, and Yumurtalık, 7404.9 ha around Çatalpınar and Yakapınar in the Lower Ceyhan Plain, and approximately 24890 ha in the Upper Ceyhan were affected by the flood event in 1980.