Modeling Debris Flow Events in the Rio Inferno Watershed (Italy) Through UAV-Based Geomorphological Survey and Rainfall Data Analysis

This paper presents an analysis of the debris flow phenomena in the Rio Inferno watershed (Municipality of Cesana Torinese,Western Alps, Italy). The annual frequency and magnitude of these events have caused significant damage to the viability of the historic Chaberton Military Road, which is now closed to transit. This study delved into the processes governing debris flows in the Rio Inferno watershed through detailed geomorphological analysis, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photogrammetric survey, and the elaboration of rainfall data from the nearby weather monitoring stations. The Hydrologic Engineering Center’s River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) code was used to simulate debris flow events considering critical precipitations associated with return periods of 20, 50, 100, and 200 years, based on the highly detailed topographical model obtained by means of photogrammetry. The paper highlights the importance of studying debris flow phenomena to implement effective risk mitigation and management strategies, especially in the context of climate change and the increased vulnerability of mountain territories.