BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam//NONSGML v1.0//EN NAME:PhD defence A. Matano METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20260529T114500 DTEND:20260529T131500 DTSTAMP:20260529T114500 UID:2026/phd-defence-a-matano@8F96275E-9F55-4B3F-A143-836282E12573 CREATED:20260603T090913 LOCATION:Hoofdgebouw, Aula De Boelelaan 1105 1081 HV Amsterdam SUMMARY:PhD defence A. Matano X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

From Drought to Flood

Drought can amplify floods, but sometimes help prevent them
Drought and floods are usually viewed as separate disasters, but the research of researcher on hydrological extremes and multi-risk d ynamics in humanitarian contexts, Alessia Matanó, shows that they ar e much more closely linked than is often thought. In fact, how an are a experiences a drought can have a major impact on the severity and t iming of floods that follow.
Matanó examined the interplay bet ween hydrological processes and human behavior during extreme weather events. In doing so, she looked at how drought affects the dynamics of subsequent floods - not only in soil and hydrology, but also in so ciety.
Drought can change soil properties
T he study shows that drought can change soil properties, causing rainw ater to be absorbed and drained differently. As a result, floods can occur more quickly or take a different course than existing models pr edict. According to Matanó, many current hydrological models do not adequately account for these complex and changeable processes.
In addition, human behavior plays an important role. During droughts, communities often adjust their water use, farming methods and natura l resource management. Such adjustments can later have unexpected imp acts on flood risks - both positive and negative.
A striking co nclusion from the study is that multiple extreme events do not automa tically lead to greater damage. In some situations, successive or sim ultaneous hazards may actually mitigate each other. This depends heav ily on local topography, water resources and social conditions.
Opportunities for smarter water management
The r esearch findings have important implications for future water and ris k management. Matanó : "Drought and flood policies need to be much b etter coordinated. Now these risks are often still dealt with separat ely by different agencies and within separate policy frameworks." The findings also point to opportunities for smarter water management. F or example, excess water during floods can be used strategically to r eplenish groundwater, making regions better prepared for future droug hts.
At the same time, Matanó emphasizes that risk management must remain practical. Systems where multiple hazards converge are co mplex, but policymakers and emergency services need clear and useful tools to make quick decisions. With climate change making both drough ts and extreme precipitation more common, Matanó underscores the nee d for an integrated approach to water and disaster management.
Learn more about the dissertation
DESCRIPTION:

Drought can amplify floods, but sometimes help preven t them

Drought and floods are usually viewed as separate disaste rs, but the research of researcher on hydrological extremes and multi -risk dynamics in humanitarian contexts, Alessia Matanó, shows that they are much more closely linked than is often thought. In fact, how an area experiences a drought can have a major impact on the severit y and timing of floods that follow. Matanó examined the interplay be tween hydrological processes and human behavior during extreme weathe r events. In doing so, she looked at how drought affects the dynamics of subsequent floods - not only in soil and hydrology, but also in s ociety. Drought can change soil properties
The st udy shows that drought can change soil properties, causing rainwater to be absorbed and drained differently. As a result, floods can occur more quickly or take a different course than existing models predict . According to Matanó, many current hydrological models do not adequ ately account for these complex and changeable processes. In addition , human behavior plays an important role. During droughts, communitie s often adjust their water use, farming methods and natural resource management. Such adjustments can later have unexpected impacts on flo od risks - both positive and negative. A striking conclusion from the study is that multiple extreme events do not automatically lead to g reater damage. In some situations, successive or simultaneous hazards may actually mitigate each other. This depends heavily on local topo graphy, water resources and social conditions. Opportunities for smarter water management
The research findings have i mportant implications for future water and risk management. Matanó : "Drought and flood policies need to be much better coordinated. Now these risks are often still dealt with separately by different agenci es and within separate policy frameworks." The findings also point to opportunities for smarter water management. For example, excess wate r during floods can be used strategically to replenish groundwater, m aking regions better prepared for future droughts. At the same time, Matanó emphasizes that risk management must remain practical. System s where multiple hazards converge are complex, but policymakers and e mergency services need clear and useful tools to make quick decisions . With climate change making both droughts and extreme precipitation more common, Matanó underscores the need for an integrated approach to water and disaster management. Learn more about the dissertati on From Drought to Flood END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR