Causes of flooding events in the city of San Jose de Mayo, Uruguay

The change in the regime of flood events in urban spaces is a global problem. In order to identify possible causes of flooding in San Jose de Mayo, the factors that favour this phenomenon are analysed at basin level, taking into account climate change and changes in land use. The incidence of the variability of strong rainfall events, accumulated rainfall and productive intensification in relation to the river flow is evaluated in order to understand the occurrence of flooding events in the city. Increases in precipitation were identified in the last 30 years; an association between precipitation and river levels; and also a change in the productive matrix in the territory. Where the processes of soil waterproofing, in the face of climate change, generate a situation of greater vulnerability for the population in flood-prone areas. The importance of creating a territorial strategy at the national level to act in urban flood areas, taking into account the whole basin, is shown.