A geospatial analysis of multi-hazard risk in Dharan, Nepal

Abstract

Natural hazard risk assessment generally focuses on a single hazard type, such as earthquakes, landslides, or floods. This emphasis tends to consider physical processes in isolation. However, most locations are simultaneously at risk to multiple, interacting hazards that generate cascading effects or synergies. Although scholars have proposed a multi-hazard risk framework based on probabilities, the quality and quantity of data required for such an approach are often unavailable in developing countries. Using geospatial and socioeconomic data, this study represents a first step in assessing multi-hazard risk in the city of Dharan, Nepal. Three hazards-landslides, floods, and earthquakes-were considered for an integrated hazard assessment using statistical methods and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). We employed a Social Vulnerability Index (SoVI) to create a vulnerability map of the study area, which was then combined with a multi-hazard hazard map to produce a total risk map. Our results indicate that eastern Dharan along the Seuti River and southwestern Dharan on the left bank of the Sardu River are at high risk to multiple hazards. Central Dharan and the hills in the western portion of the city are categorized as low risk areas. Data limitations, such as availability and spatial resolution, did not allow for dynamic modeling; however, our results identified the spatial extent of low to high risk areas, which can inform future disaster planning. For example, the methodology and results of this study could assist in the development of disaster risk reduction programs and policies. ARTICLE HISTORY

Benchmarking Community Disaster Resilience in Nepal

“…Nepal, in particular, is exposed to a multitude of natural hazards and experiences hazardous events on a regular basis [12]. In 2015, a 7.8 magnitude of earthquake took about 9000 lives and damaged over two million houses, including many critical infrastructure elements, such as hospitals, roads, and bridges [13].…”

An Open Data and Citizen Science Approach to Building Resilience to Natural Hazards in a Data-Scarce Remote Mountainous Part of Nepal

“…Hence, this study focuses on the use of open data and citizen science in a VGI approach in order to archive local knowledge and capture geospatial information at higher spatial resolution and accuracy. Most of the remote mountainous parts of Nepal lack geospatial data in digital platforms [29]. Thus, with remote mapping technology validated by a field-based mapping approach using citizen scientists, we demonstrate how essential geo-information can be generated and used in local-level planning and enhance resilience-building efforts of the community.…”

Floods Risk Mapping and Assessing Vulnerability of Morang, Nepal

“…Recent studies nd that the government lacks a ood risk map and assesses its vulnerability on population, household, and places to provide permission for settlement on a speci c area (13627_Local Governments and Disaster Risk Redu.Pdf, n.d.;150623_monsoon_hazard_analysis_ nal_. Pdf, n.d.; Aksha et al, 2020;World Bank, 2003). This study prepares a ood risk map of Morang district for settlement areas using six criteria: land use, drainage density, slope, rainfall, Dem, and soil.…”