Generating rainfall intensity-duration-frequency curves of southeastern and eastern mediterranean regions of Turkey

Intensity-Duration–Frequency (IDF) curves are graphical representation of the relationship between duration, intensity and frequency (return period) of rainfall, which are obtained from analysis of observed data. IDF curves are widely used in planning and designing safe and economic water resources engineering projects, particularly urban storm sewer systems. Changes in the local or global climate, as a result of upsurge in greenhouse gases may lead to variations in intensity, duration and frequency of precipitation events. Quantifying the potential impacts of climate change and adapting to them is expected to reduce urban vulnerability to city floods. Studying and updating rainfall, intensity-duration-frequency curves and consistent hydrologic analysis for future climate scenarios is vital. The aim of this study is to generate rainfall intensity-duration-frequency curves for rainfall stations in Adana, Adıyaman, Hatay (Antakya), Batman, Cizre, Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Kahramanmaraş, Kilis, Mardin, Osmaniye, Siirt and Şanlıurfa by employing rainfall durations of 5, 10, 15, 30 minutes, 1, 2, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours. The maximum rainfall depths of particular durations are acquired from the recorded rainfall measurements which were obtained from the General Directorate of Meteorology of Turkey. Analyses were performed by utilising Gumbel, Normal, Lognormal and Log Pearson Type III distributions. In order to evaluate the suitability of these distribution methods and select the best one, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied to a number of rainfall durations of each station. The results of this investigation are expected to be useful for local authorities.