Abstract
The purpose of flood modeling is to understand and manage the mechanisms at work in floodplains. The objective of this study is to assess the flood vulnerable areas along the Jhelum River downstream of Mangla dam in Pakistan. For this purpose, a project reach of about 70km downstream of Mangla dam up to Rasul barrage has been taken into consideration. Due to existence of populated area along the project reach, this particular reach length was considered in order to assess the possible risk of flooding. One dimensional flood modeling has been carried out by the application of Hydrologic Engineering Centre River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) for different flooding scenarios. The recent floods of 2010 and past floods of 1992 and 1997 have been focused in this study. The simulated results were analyzed and the possible extent of flooding at downstream locations was estimated. In extreme scenario of 1992 flood, many surrounding populated areas existing along the project reach from 13050m to 69204m were found vulnerable. This study recommends the rehabilitation and improvement of existing flood protection measures downstream of Mangla dam and also introduction of new useful measures to ensure the flood safety in vulnerable areas.
Keyword(s)
Flood Vulnerability, Flood Modeling, Rasul barrage, HEC-RAS, Jhelum River, Mangla Dam