Flooding risk analysis: A case study of Muscat Governorate, Sultanate of Oman

Muscat Governorate in the Sultanate of Oman is located along the sea of Oman and urban development has therefore had to occur in the intervening flat coastal plains and valleys along the coastline. The physical location of Muscat Governorate exposes the city to heavy rain and cyclones as they hit the coastline from the Sea of Oman. This underlying exposure plays a major role in the risk processes that lead to the emphasis of particular climate change risks including storm surge and rain-related flooding as experienced during Gonu Cyclone in 2007 and Phet Cyclone in 2010. For assessing flooding risk analysis, this study combined flooding hazard maps with major land use cover to quantify and validate the risks of flash flooding to urban area and infrastructures. Analysis identified substantial areas within the governorate exposure to high, medium, and low risks from extreme rainfall events that could lead to direct damages to roads, buildings, and other properties. This reinforces the need to protect and strengthen current defenses against these events as well as greater preparedness in disaster response.