Spatio-Temporal Mapping and Multi-Sector Damage Assessment of 2014 Flood in Pakistan using Remote Sensing and GIS

Abstract

Remote Sensing has made substantial contribution in flood monitoring and damage assessment. This study implies 1. The remotely sensed multi-temporal MODIS data for mapping and delineation of flood extents. 2. Conduct field survey in Punjab province for multi sector damage assessment and 3. Develop flood damage index map using Multi- Criterion Decision Analysis (MCDA). Supervised image classification and Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI) techniques were utilized to delineate the flood inundated area. Flood damage was assessed by analysing 68 different social and physical parameters recorded from the field. By incorporating these parameters along with flood extents the damage index map was produced and segregated on the basis of level of severity. The results revealed that the maximum inundation of 2007.4 km2 was occurred at Jhang district because of the breach of Trimmu Barrage. As per flood damage index, total 9 out of 36 districts were severely affected by flood of Chenab and Jhelum rivers and experienced the major loss of human life, agriculture, live stocks and infrastructure. This study concludes that remote sensing and GIS is very effective and valuable approach for mapping the flood dynamics and hazard assessment.