ORIGINAL RESEARCH
The Inventory and Characterization of Torrential
Flood Phenomenon in Serbia
Ana Petrović1, Stanimir Kostadinov1, Slavoljub Dragićević2
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1Faculty of Forestry, University of Belgrade, Kneza Viseslava 1, 11030 Belgrade, Serbia
2Faculty of Geography, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 3/3, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2014;23(3):823-830
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ABSTRACT
Torrential floods are the most destructive and most frequent natural disasters in Serbia with severe social,
economic, cultural, and environmental consequences that deserve special attention. This paper presents a datacollection
strategy and data analysis in terms of spatial and temporal characterization of the torrential flood phenomenon
in Serbia for the last 99 years. Based on the available information obtained from various reliable
sources, we registered 848 torrential flood events for 1915-2013. The registered number of deaths from torrential
floods is over 133, including 24 people from 1991 to 2010. Monthly distribution of registered torrential
floods indicates that the majority of floods occurred in Serbian territory in late spring (from May to the end of
June) and the greatest number of torrential floods is registered in Southern Morava basin. This work resulted
in creating a first inventory of torrential floods in Serbia and its analysis for the purpose of the spatial and temporal
distribution and characterization of this phenomenon. The inventory on torrential floods will be integrated
in future in a unique multi-user database on natural hazards in Serbia, and it should become a part of the
European database of natural hazards.