Short Term Assessment of the June 1996 Flash‐floods in Yemen

Remotely sensed images at different spatial resolutions were obtained of a remote region in central Yemen, relatively shortly after a disastrous flood occurred, affecting many wadi systems. Interpretation of fused pre‐ (Landsat‐TM) and post‐flood (IRS‐lC‐LISS III) satellite images led to the zoning of possible damaged areas. Of these zones some high resolution satellite images were acquired and an airborne survey with small format photographs was executed, followed up by field surveys. Data extraction was done by visual interpretation with high resolution images and the results were transferred digitally to flood damage assessment maps that used the pre‐flood images as a background. The images are used for flood hazard donation and mitigation planning. A first outlay of combined flood mitigation measures and artificial groundwater recharge schemes was made using geomorphological features and land use.