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Urban flood vulnerability zoning of Cochin City, southwest coast of India, using remote sensing and GIS

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Abstract

The present study identified the various zones vulnerable to urban flood in Cochin City, one of the biggest metro cities on the southwest coast of peninsular India. The analysis and assessment of vulnerability was done through the application of multi-criteria evaluation approach in a geographical information system environment with inputs from remotely sensed images. Other input data sources include SRTM DEM, census details, city maps and field study. Flood vulnerability mapping in the study area is fundamental in flood risk management. Among the three vulnerability zones, the very high and high vulnerable zones together constituted 8.6 % of the total area of the city. The major factors contributed are the blockage of drainage channels and the proximity to coastal waters where there is influence of tides.

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Acknowledgments

We deem it as a matter of great pleasure in expressing the deep sense of gratitude to in the authorities of Dr. R. Satheesh Centre for Remote Sensing and GIS, School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India, and INMCC, ISTRAC (ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network), Bangalore, Karnataka, India, for the laboratory facilities and data supply. We express profound gratitude to Mr. J. V. Thomas, Scientist, EOS, ISRO H.Q, Bangalore, India, and Dr. A. P. Pradeep Kumar, Reader, Kerala University, Trivandrum, Kerala, India, for their advice and support and encouragement. Our special thanks to Mr. Subhash, Town Planning Officer, all members of Kochi City Corporation, Kerala, India, for support in the data collection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Marine Geology Department, Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri, Mangalore, India

    K. Sowmya

  2. Dr. R. Satheesh Centre for Remote Sensing and GIS, School of Environmental Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India

    C. M. John

  3. Indian Mission Control Centre (INMCC), ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), Bangalore, India

    N. K. Shrivasthava

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  1. K. Sowmya
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Correspondence to K. Sowmya.

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Sowmya, K., John, C.M. & Shrivasthava, N.K. Urban flood vulnerability zoning of Cochin City, southwest coast of India, using remote sensing and GIS. Nat Hazards 75, 1271–1286 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-014-1372-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-014-1372-4

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