GIS-based AHP for flood hazard areas mapping of M’zab wadi basin

What is it about?

Located in the hyper-arid regions of Algeria, the M’zab Wadi basin has historically experienced severe flash flooding, causing severe economic damage and loss of life. Identifying potential flood hazard areas in such an arid environment, challenged by data scarcity, is necessary to forecast flood and to create early warning strategies. The paper aims to map and highlight potential flood hazard areas in the M’zab Wadi basin using geographic information system coupled with the Analytical Hierarchy Process method based on seven related flood hazard factors.

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Photo by mido art on Unsplash

Photo by mido art on Unsplash

Why is it important?

The study provides a broader aspect of analysis with more numbers of flood hazard factors based on alternative data sources such as satellite precipitation and the implications of the factors combination in the context of arid and hyper-arid regions. Nearly all previous studies have lacked consideration of the spatial distribution of rainfall due to data limitations; the presence of only one rain gauge within the M’zab Wadi basin could not provide comprehensive and accurate information regarding precipitation characteristics. Compared to previous studies, the paper presents a comprehensive addition to knowledge in this area, where flood hazard assessment was limited.

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