Hidrológiai Közlöny, 2017 (97. évfolyam)
2017 / 3. szám - MANAGING ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS - FLOOD PROTECTION EXPERIENCES AND COOPERATION IN THE DANUBE RIVER BASIN - Harsányi Gábor: Integrated Heavy Rain Risk Management in Central Europe - RAINMAN project summary
Integrated Heavy Rain Risk Management in Central Europe - RAINMAN project summary Gábor Harsányi Middle Tisza District Water Directorate, Karcag Department ( harsanyi.gabor@kotivizig.hu ) ABSTRACT Risks of heavy rain events are increasing all over Central Europe. They can hit any location at very short notice. In 2015, the economic loss amounted to 1.2 billion Euros. The devastating impact of extreme rainfall is the most significant natural risk in Central Europe. The main objective of the project is to improve the integrated management competence of public authorities to mitigate heavy rain risks. Partners from 6 countries are jointly developing practice-oriented innovative methods and new tools to reduce fatalities and damages. They are implementing alert infrastructure in the participating regions. The main joint outputs are: • A transferable toolbox with new tools and methods to assess, map and reduce heavy rain risks. • Innovative forecasting and smart warning tools for short notice. • Measures to reduce damage to health and the environmental and to improve emergency responses. The project aims to achieve sustainable change on all levels of the public sector. New technologies and innovative tools are implemented with benefits for businesses, agriculture, cities and people. Trainings and educational measures increase competence. Policy makers at regional, national and EU-level also take part in the process. Recommendations for the integration of heavy rain risks into the EU floods directive are being developed. The new tools go far beyond existing practice in CE and in the rest of Europe. The transnational strategic approach will effectively reduce these risks and damages. Experience from previous river flooding projects will be taken into consideration and further developed for heavy rain events. Key words Heavy rain, risk management, assessment and mapping, early warning system, emergency response, transferable tools, examples of best practice ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________63_ PROJECT BACKGROUND Since 2004, the Middle Tisza District Water Directorate has had good relations with Saxon partners, as the Directorate was involved in previous INTERREG Projects, such as ELLA and LABEL, and achieved great results in the sustainable use and management of alluvial plains in diked river areas and flood management measures by transnational spatial planning. Heavy rain events are increasing all over Central Europe. They can hit any location at short notice. Every year in the middle of Europe, thousands of people lose their homes and high economic losses occur due to heavy rain events and environmental damage such as water pollution is induced. The devastating impact of extreme rainfall has been identified as the most significant natural hazard in Central Europe (Figure 1). The main objective of the project is to implement an improved integrated and transnational risk-management approach in order to reduce the risks in Central Europe. The management capabilities of the participating countries will improve. The project will reduce risks and protect human life with the cooperation of partners from Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia and Poland. The partners jointly develop practice-oriented, new and innovative methods, tools and solutions to assess, map and predict heavy rain events and implement warning infrastructure in the participating regions (e.g. in pilot actions). The project will make the region a safer place to live and work and will allow the economy to grow. Land users (local as well as regional) and the environment alike will benefit from the project. * • The Problem * T*i* dimsj* ■mounwa K> 5 muon »uro Figure 1. Overview of similar problems in the project partner countries The joint outputs of the project will be: • Assessment and mapping: development of a joint and transferable method to assess and map heavy rain hazards in Central Europe.
