International regulations and engineering approaches in flood and flash floods: Example of Trabzon province

Ever since the human history existed, flood and flash flood disasters have always been encountered. Although a number of precautions are taken before, on the instant and after the flood and flash flood, the effects of flood and flash floods on human and environment are not considered as a whole. There are different applications of many institutions/organizations in dealing with the flood and flash floods. The studies made in the engineering field form a part of these applications, whereas the other important part also forms the legislations. In this study, the flood and flash floods in Turkey are evaluated in the national and international dimensions on the base of legislation, and in the local dimension as engineering approach for Trabzon province. Many shortcomings at the current flood and flash flood legislations were detected, and it was seen that many flood and flash floods were occurred in the same year or in different years in the same area depending on these shortcomings. The most significant reason for this is the wrong reconstruction arrangements by making use of the deficiencies in the legislations or the wrong engineering studies. Therefore, insurance and reinsurance laws should be corrected and made compulsory in accordance with the law in Turkey as applied in the world countries. Because of the large and complex structure of the flood and flash flood legislation, suitable legal precautions and engineering preventions to be taken for the study area will prevent both the loss of life and property which may occur, and also reduce or eliminate the economic losses, and this will contribute positively to the national economy. Therefore, the fact that considering the regulation of different countries, creating the unique engineering models peculiar to flood and flash flood regions have become very important. Consequently, an effective struggle with flood and flash floods can be made possible by a strong regulation and an efficient engineering infrastructure.