Integrated Risk Assessment of Floods and Landslides in Kohistan, Pakistan

Abstract

Climate change and global warming have increased the frequency and intensity of natural hazards such as floods, landslides, and avalanches. These hazards not only have significant individual impacts but are also interconnected, often amplifying their destructive effects. Therefore, it is crucial to manage their consequences and ensure that communities and infrastructure are resilient enough to withstand these challenges. Given the limited research assessing the collective impact of natural hazards, particularly in Pakistan, this study investigates the effects of floods and landslides in the Kohistan District of northern Pakistan, an area which is highly vulnerable to such hazards yet minimally studied. Machine learning techniques, including the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and weighted overlay, along with geographic information systems (GISs) and remote sensing (RS), were employed to analyze the causative factors of these hazards. The resulting flood risk and landslide risk maps were then superimposed to produce an integrated dual-hazard risk assessment. The research findings serve as a foundation for policy-making, offering strategies to reduce risks for all stakeholders, implement adaptive measures for communities, and ensure that future developments are both resilient and sustainable.