Annex 1 - Glossary of technical terms
Annex 1 - Glossary of technical terms Hazard: The notion of hazard is defined in France as a phenomenon of natural or human origin more or less harmful according to its intensity, according to the interdepartmental portal of major risk prevention (2012). Internationally, UNISDR (2009) proposes a similar definition specifying the types of damage in human terms (deaths, injuries or other health effects), material, environmental and/or socio-economic 4. 3F
Catchment area or watershed: hydrological unit draining the surface water and discharging it to the most downstream point of the river system Infiltration capacity - also called infiltrability or absorptive capacity: the maximum flux that the soil is able to absorb when subjected to heavy rainfall or is covered by a water surface. Disaster: any significant disruption of the functioning of a community or society involving major human, material, economic and environmental impacts and losses, leading to an overcoming of the capacities of these communities or societies to cope with [....] Disasters are often described as the result of the combination of exposure to a hazard, the conditions of vulnerability in place, and an inability to cope with or reduce potential negative consequences. (UNISDR, Terminology, 2009) Climate: a statistical description based on averages and variability of relevant quantities over periods ranging from a few months to thousands to even millions of years (the typical period defined by the World Meteorological Organization is 30 years). These quantities are most often surface variables such as temperature, precipitation height and wind (GIEC, 2013) Intensity-Duration-Frequency Curve - IDF Curves - : a curve which graphically and synthetically illustrates the rainfall knowledge of a given point by establishing the relations between the intensities, the durations and the frequencies of the rains. They are used in particular to estimate flows for a given type of rain, and to size structures. High flow / flood / rising river : increase of the flow of a river (MEDDE France, 2004). Therefore, a rising river does not systematically cause flooding.
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UNISDR's website. Definition in English: "A dangerous phenomenon, substance, human activity or condition that may cause loss of life, injury or other health impacts, property damage, loss of livelihoods and services, social and economic disruption, or environmental damage".
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