Flash floods risk analysis in ephemeral streams: a case study on Wadi Mekerra (northwestern Algeria)

The number and intensity of water-related disasters are increasing tremendously. Floods and inundations in the Mediterranean countries are often caused by torrential rains. In Algeria, floods have left more than 1000 dead and caused loss of around 550 million euros. In Mekerra Basin, northwestern Algeria, the flooding risk is growing. This paper diagnoses the causes and the flood damage that generates Wadi Mekerra. Besides, the legislative texts are also discussed. Predicting the flooding risk is done through numerical modeling of two typical flood waves. It is a comparison between two numerical models, Van Leer finite volume scheme and Petrov Galarkin finite element scheme with recorded hydrographs. Based on these results, several additional actions are recommended at the end of this work.