- English
Climate change and anthropogenic factors have exacerbated flood risks in many regions across the globe, including the
Himalayan foothill region in India. The Jia Bharali River basin, situated in this vulnerable area, frequently experiences
high-magnitude floods, causing significant damage to the environment and local communities. Developing accurate and
reliable flood susceptibility models is crucial for effective flood prevention, management, and adaptation strategies. In this
study, we aimed to generate a comprehensive flood susceptibility zone model for the Jia Bharali catchment by integrating
statistical methods with expert knowledge-based mathematical models. We applied four distinct models, including the Frequency
Ratio model, Fuzzy Logic (FL) model, Multi-criteria Decision Making based Analytical Hierarchy Process model,
and Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process model, to evaluate the flood susceptibility of the basin. The results revealed that
approximately one-third of the Jia Bharali basin area fell within moderate to very high flood-prone zones. In contrast, over
50% of the area was classified as low to very low flood-prone zones. The applied models demonstrated strong performance,
with ROC-AUC scores exceeding 70% and MAE, MSE, and RMSE scores below 30%. FL and AHP were recommended
for application among the models in areas with similar physiographic characteristics due to their exceptional performance
and the training datasets. This study offers crucial insights for policymakers, regional administrative authorities, environmentalists,
and engineers working in the Himalayan foothill region. By providing a robust flood susceptibility model, the
research enhances flood prevention efforts and management, thereby serving as a vital climate change adaptation strategy
for the Jia Bharali River basin and similar regions. The findings also have significant implications for disaster risk reduction
and sustainable development in vulnerable areas, contributing to the global efforts towards achieving the United Nations'
Sustainable Development Goals.
- English
