Free Global DEMs and Flood Modelling—A Comparison Analysis for the January 2015 Flooding Event in Mocuba City (Mozambique)

Flood hazard and risk analysis in developing countries is a difficult task due to the absence or scarce availability of flow data digital elevation models (DEMs) with necessary quality. Up eight DEMs (ALOS Palsar, Aster GDEM, Bare Earth DEM, SRTM Merit TanDEM-X NASA Copernicus DEM) different acquisition, spatial resolution, processing were used reconstruct January 2015 flood event. The systematic rate record from Mocuba city gauge station as well international aid organisms field define both return period peak flows years for frequencies (Tyear) flooding event flow. Both visual statistical depth values at control point locations give us measure hydraulic modelling performance. results related approach, show clear improvement over other free global DEMs. Under assumption that DEM provides best results, was carried out, its being agreement previous effects District. All these highlight step forward represents countries, along use so-called “citizen science” form evidence acquisition.