SUMMARY
Debris and hyper-concentrated flows are amongst the most destructive of all water-related disasters. These hazards are likely to become more frequent and more important in the future due to the effects of the increase in population, urbanization, land subsidence and the impact of climate change. They affect both rural and urban environments, particularly in river basins and in mountain areas. In recent years, they have attracted more and more attention from the scientific and professional communities due to the number of lives lost, and there is growing public concern for the future. New methods and measures are required to cope with debris flow changes and to achieve a harmonious balance between the environment and economic forces.