Post-Flood Response Analysis Using GIS and Remote Sensing: The Case of Karaköy Neighborhood in Elmalı District

Abstract

This study examines the flood and debris flow events that occurred on August 6–7, 2018, in the rural areas of Elmalı district, Antalya, within a climatological, geomorphological, and anthropogenic framework. The disaster, particularly concentrated in Karaköy, was triggered by intense short-term rainfall that caused surface runoff from steep slopes. The geological structure of the area, the establishment of settlements on alluvial fans, high slope gradients, vegetation scarcity, and the overlap of water flow paths with residential zones significantly intensified the disaster's impact. The research utilized datasets from the Turkish State Meteorological Service (TSMS), State Hydraulic Works (DSİ), and local authorities. Topographic and spatial analyses were conducted using ASTER and Landsat 8 satellite imagery through ArcMap 10.2.2 software. Post-disaster mitigation involved constructing four check dams by DSİ to control sediment transport and redirecting the streambed away from the settlement area. Rainfall data on the disaster date confirmed that precipitation exceeded monthly averages and caused a high discharge in a very short time. The findings demonstrate that when rural settlements are established on high-risk geomorphological formations like alluvial cones without adequate planning, the severity of natural disasters significantly increases. The study emphasizes the necessity of reevaluating current strategies, aligning rural land-use policies with topographic risk assessments, and integrating non-structural measures into disaster management. These results aim to contribute to the development of localized, hydro-climatologically and geomorphodynamically informed rural flood risk reduction frameworks.