Geohazard Assessment in the Kota Kinabalu area, Sabah, Malaysia

Abstract

This study focused on the Flood Susceptibility Analysis (FSA) and Landslide Susceptibility Analysis (LSA)of the Kota Kinabalu area, Sabah by using Multi Criteria Evaluation Model (MCE) for FSA and Deterministic Model for LSA. The study area had been affected by flood and landslide throughout the years. The aims of this study are to determine the flood susceptibility level and landslide susceptibility level of the study area and to identify the contributing factors that leads to the geohazards. Thus, a few mitigation measures can be recommended. The contributing factors that leads to the geohazards had been identified through desk studies and fieldwork. The data were obtained and digitized using ArcGIS software and the thematic maps were produced. The factors that contributing to the geohazards such as slope gradient, elevation, topographic curvature, flow accumulation and drainage distance were retrieved from the topographic database, whereas the land use, rainfall, soil types and soil properties were obtained from various agencies. Several areas are considered as susceptible, such as areas of Taman Kingfisher, Kg. Bantayan, Menggatal area, and Kg. Tebobon. To avoid or minimize the flood disasters, the Flood Susceptibility Level Map and the Landslide Susceptibility Map can be used in future development planning and a few structural controls can be implemented such as the land use planning of the area and hazard zoning. This study can be used as a resource for consulting, planning agencies and local governments in managing risk, land-use zoning and remediation efforts to mitigate risks.