Flood risk analysis using gis-based analytical hierarchy process: a case study of Bitlis Province

Abstract

Floods are the most common natural disasters on earth. Population growth with global warming and climate changes increases the impact of floods on people every year. Combating natural disasters such as floods is possible with effective disaster management. An effective disaster management can only be possible with a comprehensive risk analysis. Flood risks depend on many factors such as precipitation, flow, earth slope, soil structure, and population density. A holistic flood risk analysis considering all these factors will provide a more effective disaster management. This study focuses on an assessment of flood hazard analysis in Bitlis province of Turkey using analytical hierarchy method which is a multi-parameter modeling technique. Flood hazard zones were mapped according to the weight of the selected factor by using geographic information system. It is concluded that while especially the south-western regions are exposed to high flood risk due to high stream density and precipitation, the high slope and rugged nature of this region restrict the risk mainly to the vicinity of low elevation streams and high population regions.