Estudio de la vulnerabilidad hidrológica a inundaciones en poblaciones menores a 10,000 habitantes.

Abstract

Heavy precipitation is common during the winter season in Ecuador, leading to fluvial and pluvial flooding with significant socio-economic losses. Disorderly and rapid growth also contributes to obstruction in the infiltration and runoff process, significantly increasing the water level in urban areas and causing flooding. Hydrological studies are essential to identify areas vulnerable to flooding and plan prevention strategies against increased flow. The objective of this work is to determine the areas prone to flooding in the parishes of La Bocana and Piedras, belonging to the canton of Piñas. The methodological process consists of two parts: an exhaustive documentary research focusing on reviewing academic sources, and experimental research including topographic, hydrographic, land use, hydraulic, and hydrological analysis. With these data, maps of the most vulnerable areas in the mentioned parishes are generated. To compare the water level generated by software and in-situ data, a topographic survey was carried out in the areas most prone to flooding. The results indicate that in the La Bocana parish, "Vía Tahuín" street is the most susceptible to flooding, with a 100-year return period generating a water level of 6.4 meters resulting in a high vulnerability level. In the Piedras parish, the most prone area to flooding is the Piedras park, with a water level of over 3 meters resulting in a very high vulnerability level.