Geo-visualization of Debris Flow Susceptibility in District Chitral, North-West of Pakistan

Debris flows are a recurrent environmental hazard in hilly regions and significantly impact socioeconomic development in Pakistan. This study aims to conduct debris flow risk zonation using remote sensing data, including NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and Landsat-8 imagery. These data were combined with geographic indices to identify debris flow factors such as slope, aspect, elevation, vegetation cover, and land cover changes like NDWI and NDVI. The weighted overlay technique was employed to achieve the study's objective in the target area. The classes were ranked from most to least favorable, with numerical weights assigned based on each factor's importance in debris flow occurrence. A composite map was then developed using the weighted overlay analysis to represent the significance of each factor. The resulting debris flow risk zonation map categorized the area into four classes: very high-risk, high-risk, moderate-risk, and low-risk zones. The villages located in the very high-risk zone include Mulkoh, Mastuj, Reshun, Shegram, Terich Gol, Rogar, Asurat, Boni, Brep, and Rech Tockhow, which have been frequently affected by hazards over the past decade. While the results and landslide susceptibility maps provide valuable insights for understanding landslides and planning mitigation measures, field surveys are essential for more accurate predictions. Overall, the study offers important information for authorities to prioritize landslide mitigation efforts in the region.