Analysis and Management of Flood Hazards in Tahala Town (SW Libya)

Abstract

As a result of climatic fluctuations in the past few years, the passage of rainstorms in the desert areas of southern Libyan territories has led to dangerous flash floods in some areas, as seen in the Greater Ghat region (including the Tahala area) in 2019 and 2024. The research focused on analyzing flood hazards in Tahala town (SW Libya, near Ghat), identifying the most important Wadi basins that affected the town, and declaring the most vulnerable parts of it. It then discussed the proposed alternatives to avoid flood hazards in the town, and proposed practical solutions to avoid flood hazards in the future. The research relied on the analysis of Sentinel 2 satellite images taken during the peak flood periods in 2019 and 2024, using the MNDWI. Index to identify flood areas. Hydrological analyses were conducted to delineate the drainage network affecting Tahala using SRTM1 and ALLOS PALSAR DEMs in a GIS environment. The results showed that Tahala is affected by a large number of Wadis reaching it from: The eastern nearby Wadis that descend from the Akakus Mountains. They are relatively short but dangerous due to their rapid arrival. Secondly, Wadi Tanezzuft comes from the south, carrying with it the water of its drainage basin (> 5,000 km2 area). By analyzing the town's surface elevations, its surroundings, and topographical situation, the research proposed the establishment of a new town next to the current one in a place where floods do not reach, while the Tahala agricultural project remains for agricultural use.