See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/344407171

Development of GIS based disaster risk information system for decision making

Article · September 2014

CITATIONS READS
3 105

1 author:

Indulekha. K.P
College of Engineering Trivandrum
14 PUBLICATIONS 34 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by Indulekha. K.P on 02 October 2020.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 ISSN (Online) : 2319 - 8753
ISSN (Print) : 2347 - 6710

International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology

An ISO 3297: 2007 Certified Organization, Volume 2, Special Issue 1, December 2013

Proceedings of International Conference on Energy and Environment-2013 (ICEE 2013)

On 12th to 14th December Organized by

Department of Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology, Kottayam, Kerala, India

DEVELOPMENT OF GIS BASED DISASTER RISK

INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR DECISION MAKING
Gangapriya P, Indulekha K P
M.Tech Student, Dept. of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering Trivandrum, Kerala, India
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering Trivandrum, Kerala, India

ABSTRACT
Disasters can occur as a consequence of the impact of a natural or a human caused hazard. This study aims
to analyze the multiple hazards of Thiruvananthapuram district. The disasters considered for the study are flood,
forest fire, coastal erosion and drought. Separate methodology is developed for each of these disasters to analyze the
severity of hazard. The results obtained from the study reveals that Thiruvananthapuram district is prone to flood,
drought, coastal erosion and forest fire. The integration of individual disaster maps created the multi hazard map of
the study area. It indicates some of the regions in study area prone to multiple hazards. By using these databases a
risk information system for disaster management in Thiruvananthapuram district was developed. The web based
disaster management systems can reduce the pressure of organizers to manage information and data directly after a
disaster and in the midst of a time of crisis.

NOMENCLATURE
CVI Coastal Vulnerability Index
FR Numerical index of fire risk
λNIR reflectance in the near infrared (NIR)
λRED reflectance in the red bands
NDVI Normalized Vegetation Index
SPI Standard Precipitation Index

1. INTRODUCTION

Each year, disasters arising from volcanoes, storms, floods, and earthquakes cause thousands of deaths
and tremendous damage to property around the world, displacing thousands of people from their home
and destroying their livelihoods [1]. Many of the losses of life and property could be controlled if better
information were available on the exposed populations and assets, environmental factors in disaster risk,

Copyright to IJIRSET www.ijirset.com 140

and the behavior and patterns of particular hazards [1].

The field of disaster management has greatly benefited from recent advancements in computers and
related technology. In particular, GIS, remote sensing, and the Internet have had a significant impact, and
are currently being used in a variety of ways during all phases of disaster management. Integrating these
technologies to create a spatial decision support system offers new possibilities for disaster management,
particularly during the initial response phase of a disaster.

The State of Kerala is prone to a host of natural hazards such as coastal erosion, flood, drought,
lightening, landslide and earthquake [5]. All most all districts of Kerala are multi-hazard prone. In
Thiruvananthapuram district 12.23% of the total area is flood prone and 41.11% of the total coast is
eroding.

The earlier studies of disasters in the study area mainly deal with single hazards and its management
plans. This study brings out multiple hazards mapping of a particular area. The concept of a disaster
information system is new for the study area.

1.1. Literature review

Cees J. van Westen (2008) studied about remote sensing and GIS for natural hazards assessment and
disaster risk management. The use of earth observation (EO) products and geo information systems
(GIS) has become an integrated, well developed and successful tool in disaster risk management. Hazard
and risk assessments are carried out at different scales of analysis, ranging from a global scale to a
community level.

Quan-guo LI, Ling KANG, Dong-qi TANG and Yun-long ZHU (2011) made a study on
applications of spatial information technology in natural disasters. This paper analyzes the uses of spatial
information technology in the field of investigation and identification, distribution and law, risk
evaluation and zoning, loss assessment, forecasting and dynamic monitoring of the application in natural
disasters.

1.2. Objective

The present study attempts to bring out the information about different disasters experiencing in
Thiruvananthapuram district and develop a disaster information system which will be useful for
disaster management practices.

1.1. Study area

Thiruvananthapuram, the southernmost district of Kerala State is situated between north latitudes
8˚17and 8˚54and east longitudes 76˚ 4and 77˚ 17. The district stretches 78 kms along the shores of the
Arabian Sea on the west, Kollam district lies on the north, Thirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts of
Tamil Nadu on the east and the south respectively. Location map of the study area is shown in figure1.

The State‘s geographical location, weather pattern and high population density makes it prone to
severe natural as well as human-induced disasters which can be countered only through organized
mitigative actions [5].

Copyright to IJIRSET www.ijirset.com 141

 Fig 1: Location map of study area

2. METHODOLOGY
Multi hazards are identified from the literatures, past studies and enquiries to the experts. Methodology
for the mapping of each single hazard is adopted from earlier researches and then developed a strategy to
prepare multiple hazard maps. Each hazard mapped separately with the help of GIS techniques. Then a
weighted overlay analysis had been carried out to obtain multi hazard map. By using this database a
disaster information system were created.

2.1. Flood

Rainfall, elevation, slope, drainage density, road density and landuse type data layers that were
selected as input data for assessing flood hazard. Selection of these factors was based on the previous
studies. Flood hazard map was created by using the weighting and ranking technique. Risk refers to
the threat to life or property that may result from the action of a hazard upon some structure, system,
or population. Flood risk map was created by using the same weighting and ranking technique used
for mapping flood hazard areas. Hazard, population, and landuse types were selected as the most
influential factors in evaluating flood risk. A flood risk map then was created by overlaying the flood
hazard map with the population density and then the land use maps.

The total estimated risk, obtained by adding the weighted risk rankings of all factors, also was classified
in five categories; very low, low, moderate, high, and very high risk.

2.2. Coastal Erosion

To address the multi-faceted task of predicting sea-level rise impact, the USGS has implemented a
methodology to identify areas that may be most vulnerable to future sea-level rise (Hammar-Klose
and Thieler, 2001). This technique uses different ranges of vulnerability (low to very high) to
describe a coast’s susceptibility to physical change as sea level rises. The vulnerability determined
here focuses on six variables which strongly influence coastal evolution [3].

The coastal vulnerability index (CVI) allows the six variables to be related in a quantifiable
manner that expresses the relative vulnerability of the coast to physical changes due to future sea-
level rise. A relatively simple vulnerability ranking system allows the six variables to be incorporated
into an equation that produces a coastal vulnerability index (CVI). Once each section of coastline is

Copyright to IJIRSET www.ijirset.com 142

assigned a vulnerability value for each specific data variable, the CVI is calculated as the square root
of the product of the ranked variables divided by the total number of variables.

CVI  abcdef (1)

6
Where,
a = geomorphology
b = shoreline erosion/accretion rate c = coastal slope
d =relative sea-level rise rate
e = mean wave height
f = mean tide range

2.3. Forest Fire

The most important factors leading to accidental fires in the Trivandrum reserve forest are the
vegetation type and density, humidity of the area, proximity to settlements and distances from roads.
Thematic maps were prepared separately based on their sensitivity to forest fire as very high, high,
moderate or low. Then suitable weights were assigned.
The equation used in a GIS for the fire risk modelling and or mapping the fire risk areas is:

FR=10F + 2H +2R +3S

i=1–11 j=1–4 k=1–4 (2) l=1–6

Where,
FR - Numerical index of fire risk,
F- Vegetation variable (with 1–11 classes ),
H- Indicates proximity to human habitation (with 1–4classes),
R- The road factor (with 1–4 classes) and
S - Slope factor (with 1–6 classes).
The superscripts i , j, k, l indicate subclasses based on importance in determining the fire risk.

2.4. Drought

Calculation of drought is based on Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) and Normalized Vegetation
Index (NDVI).

The SPI calculation is based on the long term precipitation record for a time period. This long term
record is fitted to a probability distribution, which is transformed into a normal distribution where the
mean SPI for the location and desired time period is zero[3].

Tucker in 1979 suggested NDVI as an index of vegetation health and density.

NDVI = (λNIR - λRED) / (λNIR + λRED) (3)

Where,
λNIR - reflectance in the near infrared band
λRED - reflectance in the near red band

The NDVI is the most commonly used vegetation index. It varies in the range of -1 to + 1[5].

Copyright to IJIRSET www.ijirset.com 143

2.5. Multi hazard map
The overlay analysis of flood hazard map, coastal erosion map, forest fire map and drought map
created the multi hazard map of the particular study area. It provides the specific locations or areas
that have a certain set of attribute values, that is, match the criterion which is specified. This
approach is often used to find locations that are suitable for a particular use or are susceptible to
some risk.

2.6 User interface

The web-based GIS used to design the web application interface in this work consist of two parts.
The first part is the server side, which was developed using Geoserver open source software and
Apache web server to augment point observations with other GIS data layers. This is the basic
function of web-based GIS system which allows users to navigate and visualize areas of interest on
maps at different scales according to the selected areas. The second part of the system is web client
interface which is developed using JAVA and PostgreSQL which establishes a web database
connection that enables users to integrate web-based map browsing, spatial query, data services, and
map overlaying capabilities. Therefore, based on the selection of parameters by the user, a
PostgreSQL could be built and sent to the database server for execution. As well as, the results of the
execution can be obtained by the web application server and converted into JAVA format to display
in the client-side web browser.

3. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Flood

Figure 2: Flood Hazard Map

Flood is one of the most devastating natural hazards which lead to the loss of lives, properties and
2
resources. In Thiruvananthapuram district a total area of 2172 km is affected by flood. In that 153.54
2 2
km is having very high flood risk and 1018.31km area having high flood risk.

Ottasekharamangalam panchayath and Poovachal panchatyath of Thiruvananthapuram district

consist of very high flood hazard prone regions. Flood risk is higher at Thiruvananthapuram Corporation
region. It is because of the existence of higher population in that region and properties having higher
economic values. Flood hazard map is shown in figure 2.

Copyright to IJIRSET www.ijirset.com 144

 Flood hazards are mainly located nearer to the water bodies especially rivers and the areas are having
lower elevation values. Due to the type of use, certain areas on the flat relief such as coastal plains are
having moderate high values.
3.2. Coastal Erosion

Fig 3: Coastal vulnerability map

The rate of shoreline change from the year 1973 to 2008 is calculated using DSAS tool. The coastal
vulnerability of Thiruvananthapuram district is shown in figure3.

The calculated CVI value along the study area of Thiruvananthapuram coastline ranges from 1.73 to
8.66. The mean CVI value is 5.10. The 25th, 50th and 75th percentile of CVI value are 4.73, 6.03 and
9.39 respectively. Those grids having CVI value ranging from 0 to 4.73 is taken as low vulnerable area,
grids having CVI value from 4.73 to 6.03 is taken as medium vulnerable area, grids having CVI value
from 6.03 to 9.39 is taken as high vulnerable area and grids having CVI value greater than 9.39 is taken as
very high vulnerable area.

The coastal vulnerability is lower at Kovalam, Edava, Kayikkara and pulinkudi and Puvar, Vettur etc are
high vulnerable regions. Meenamkulam to Karikkakam and Puvar region shows higher erosion. The rate
of shoreline change shows increments in every year. In this region observed a mean erosion rate of -6.38
and mean accretion rate of 10.39mm. Out of 78kms coastal stretch, 14.3 km is highly vulnerable, 21km is
having low vulnerability and 42.7 km is moderately vulnerable.

3.3. Forest Fire

Fig 4: Forest fire hazard

Copyright to IJIRSET www.ijirset.com 145

 2 2
Thiruvananthapuram district have 498.61km of forest area. In that a total area of 260.98km forest
2
region is affected by forest fire. 42.38 km area of Thiruvananthapuram reserve forest is prone to very
2
high forest fire risk and an area of 99.29 km prone to high forest fire risk.
The risk calculated based on the chances occurrence of fire near to the settlement. Palode,
Kulathupuzha and neyyar ranges of Thiruvananthapuram reserve forest region is having higher hazard
values. Peringamala, ponmudi, vithura, Chekkonam and Mylamudu sections of Thiruvananthapuram
reserve forest is prone to higher forest fire risk. The forest fire hazard map of Thiruvananthapuram
reserve forest is shown in figure 4.

3.4. Drought

Fig 5: Drought map

For this study the drought map was created from the agricultural drought map and meteorological
drought map. Agricultural drought map was prepared from normalized vegetation index map of the study
area. From the standardized precipitation index the meteorological drought map were prepared.

Most of the regions in Thiruvananthapuram district coming under the high drought hazard category.
2 2
3.92km area of Thiruvananthapuram district is prone to very high drought risk and 1266.62km area
shows high drought risk. Very high drought is present in the places nearer to Veli and Shanghumugham
and Places nearer to Thiruvananthapuram city. The forest region shows lower drought hazard values. The
drought hazard map of Thiruvananthapuram is shown in figure 5.

3.5 Multi hazard map

Fig 6: Multi Hazard Map

Copyright to IJIRSET www.ijirset.com 146

 The union process of flood hazard map, coastal erosion map, forest fire map and drought map
2
created the multi hazard map of the particular study area. The study area has an area of 2192km . In
2 2
that 200.20 km comes under very high hazard category and 1689.73 km area under the high hazard
category. Most of the regions in Thiruvananthapuram district are affected by any one of the hazard or
more than one hazard.

3.6. User Interface

A web application interface called Disaster Risk Information System was created. This
provides information related to hazards, its severity, population, landuse and the administrative
region. In the module for displaying the information of disasters, there is an option for the user to
select the hazard. Then the details corresponding to that disaster, its severity, the administration
region, landuse category and population density are displayed. It provides the facility to choose
more than one hazard at a time.

4. CONCLUSION
A disaster is comprised of three components; hazard, risk, and vulnerability. The hazard is the
probability of the occurrence of a potentially damaging phenomenon within a given period of time and
space. In this study the study area prone to four kinds of disasters. They are flood, coastal erosion,
drought and forest fire.
2
Thiruvananthapuram district a total area of 2172 km is affected by flood. Flood hazards are mainly
located nearer to the water bodies especially rivers and the areas are having lower elevation values. Due
to the type of use, certain areas on the flat relief such as coastal plains are having moderate high values.

The rate of shoreline change shows increments in every year. In this region observed a mean erosion
rate of -6.38 and mean accretion rate of 10.39mm. out of 78kms coastal stretch, 14.3 km is highly
vulnerable, 21km is having low vulnerability and 42.7 km is moderately vulnerable.

The low and mid land regions of Thiruvananthapuram district have higher range of drought. The forest
region shows lower drought hazard values.
2
In Thiruvananthapuram district a total area of 260.98km area of forest region is affected by forest fire.
Most of the regions in Thiruvananthapuram district are affected by any one of the hazard or more than
one hazard. A disaster risk information system is developed for Thiruvananthapuram district using
Geoserver. It displays the hazard category, severity of hazard, panchayath, population and landuse.
Internet based GIS could play a key role in the collection and dissemination of relevant information
in a fast, relatively inexpensive and straightforward manner during various stages of a disaster life
cycle. Computer based disaster management systems reduce some of the pressure of having to
organize information and data directly after a disaster and in the midst of a time of crisis. They
provide decision makers with the information that they require to develop and maintain their
understanding of the spatial characteristics of a natural disaster, and its impacts over a range of time.

5. ACKNOWLEDGMENT

We are highly grateful to Information Kerala Mission, Kerala forest headquarters, India meteorological
department, Department of Economics and Statistics and Central ground water department for provided
the relevant data.

Copyright to IJIRSET www.ijirset.com 147

 REFERENCES

[1] Alexander D (1991) “Information technology in real- time for monitoring and
managing natural disasters”, Process in Physical Geography 15 (3), pp 238-260.
[2] Cees J. van Westen(2008) “Remote Sensing and GIS for Natural Hazards Assessment and Disaster Risk Management”. Thesis report.
[3] Charlchai Tanavud, Chao Yongchalermchai, Abdollah Bennui and Omthip Densreeserekul (2004), “Assessment of flood risk in Hat Yai
Municipality, Southern Thailand, using GIS” , Journal of Natural Disaster Science 20 04, pp1
[4] G.S.Dwarakish, S.A.Vijay, Usha Natesan, Toshiyuki Asano, Taro Kakinuma, Katta Venkataramana,
B.Jagadeesha Pai and M.K.Babitha (2009) “Coastal vulnerability assessment of the future sea level rise in Uduppi coastal zone of
Karnataka state, west coast of India” ,Ocean & Coastal Management, pp 467- 478.
[5] Hasan Murad and A. K. M. Saiful Islam (2011) “drou ght assessment using remote sensing and gis in North-west region of bangladesh”,
3rd International Conference on Water & Flood Management (ICWFM-2011).
[6] Kerala State Disaster Management Plan Profile, Kerala State Disaster Management Authority, 2010.
[7] Rajeev Kumar Jaiswal, Saumitra Mukherjee, Kumaran D. Raju, Rajesh Saxena (2002) “Forest fire risk zone map ping from satellite
imagery and GIS” International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation 4 (2002) 1–10
[8] The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), user guide.

Copyright to IJIRSET www.ijirset.com 148

View publication stats