Özet:

Abstract The purpose of this study is to emphasize the effect of human factors on the occurrence, frequency and incidence rate of floods experienced in Batman, SE Turkey. Batman is a medium-sized industrial city which has developed rapidly due to its petroleum reserves. It became a province in 1990. Rapid population growth due to labor migration and migrations from rural areas has resulted in unplanned development of the city. Important problems have come about as a result of this rapid and unplanned development, including an increase in the frequency and incidence rate of flood and torrent events. 22 out of 39 districts in the city were variously affected by the flood and torrent events experienced in the autumn of 2006. In this regard, Batman city is a high risk area with respect to hydrography. Improper construction practices, illegal housing and unplanned urbanization are also effective on the escalation of flood and torrent events, sometimes to catastrophic levels, which occur in Batman due to the physical-geographical characteristics of the Basin of Iluh Creek. In order to reveal the effect of these factors, observations were made in the city and household interview surveys were conducted in the districts affected by the flood event. The results of the observations and surveys suggest that human actions are directly effective on the catastrophic escalation of flood and torrent events in Batman city, affecting broad areas and thus causing great loss of life and property. Keywords: Batman, Turkey, natural disasters, flood and torrent, human factors, hydrographic risk

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