Investigation of Climate Change Impact on Meteorological Data and Floods: A Case of Karacam, Turkey

Turkey is among countries under influence of climate change as a result of global warming. These changes in climate cause large imbalances in temperature degrees and precipitation levels. While these imbalances in precipitation regimes cause drought in some regions, they cause sudden and severe precipitation in some regions. Therefore, in this study, effect of climate change on meteorological data and floods in Karacam region of Sakarya province was investigated. Meteorological data of the region used in this study was taken from General Directorate of Meteorology (DMI). Meteorological data are taken daily from station 17069 (10.01.2014 - 09.30.2019). Innovative Trend Analysis was used in analysis of meteorological data, and 2-dimensional flood propagation maps were obtained by using Hec-RAS software in flood analysis. As a result of analysis made, it was observed that climate change resulting from global warming has an impact on the meteorological data of Karacam region in Turkey, which is the study area. Because, it is observed that there is a generally downward trend in precipitation data, a generally increasing trend in temperature data and a decreasing trend in moisture data. Thus, impact of climate change can be clearly seen. Therefore, impact of this climate change shows not only an increase in temperatures and a decrease in precipitation, but also an increase in daily sudden and severe rains. For this reason, flood inundation maps of study area were created. Hec-RAS software was used to create flood propagation maps. As a result of these maps, it is seen that remain in floodplain of high-speed train line, agricultural lands and some of residential areas. Flood spreading maps of region have been created for sudden precipitation that may occur as a result of climate change and it has been observed that agricultural lands, residential areas and factories can be affected by this flood.