MASTER PROGRAM OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

POST GRADUATE STUDY PROGRAM

UDAYANA UNIVERSITY
OCEANOGRAPHY & REMOTE SENSING CONCENTRATION
NAME : PUTU ARYASTANA
NO. ID : 1091261020
DISASTER MITIGATION

THE APPLICATION OF SATELLITE REMOTE SENSING

FOR FLOOD DISASTER

I. BACKGROUND
Flood is a problem that almost all countries in this world never experience it, not least in
countries that have advanced even as Japan and China or developing country likes Indonesia.
Based from dictionary of International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), the definition of
flood is “a relatively high flow or stage in a river, markedly higher than usual, also the inundation of
flow land which may result there from. A body of water, rising, swelling, and overflowing land not
usually thus covered”. From that definition, it can be said that the floods did not contain the sense of
disorder, damage, loss or disaster for human, but only describes an event. Flood is the most
devastating natural phenomenon that affects and disrupts the well being of a society, especially poor
people who are vulnerable to disaster due to limitation of their resources (Source: K Prathumchai,
2005).

II. THE OCCURRENCE OF FLOOD PROBLEM

Flood problem generally occurs due to a variety of factors, both natural and various other
factors that are the result of human activity. How big is the role of each factor is the cause of flood, it
is very difficult to be analyzed and determined. Scheme of factor causing flood problems can be
seen in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Scheme Of Factor Causing Flood Problems (Source: Siswoko)

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 MASTER PROGRAM OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
POST GRADUATE STUDY PROGRAM
UDAYANA UNIVERSITY
OCEANOGRAPHY & REMOTE SENSING CONCENTRATION
NAME : PUTU ARYASTANA
NO. ID : 1091261020
DISASTER MITIGATION

III. PREVENTION OF FLOOD DISASTER

To decrease the problem of flood is still relying on the efforts to perform various physical
activities or by building flood control infrastructure or modify the natural conditions of the river, thus
forming a flood control system. These measures have been implemented almost in all countries in
the world are experiencing flooding problems. Flood damage mitigation can be divided into two ways
are:
1. Structural Flood Mitigation Measures (Source: Manual ESCAP) :
Levees and floodwalls
Channel and by pass floodways
Retarding basins and flood storage areas
Flood mitigation reservoirs
Drainage evacuation system
2. Non Structural Flood Mitigation Measures (Source: Manual ESCAP) :
Land use management
Property acquisition and floodway clearance
Modification of catchment conditions and on site storage
Flood forecasting and warning
Public information and education
Flood proofing of buildings
Evacuation from endangered areas
Flood fighting, flood relief, flood insurance and flood adaptation

IV. THE APPLICATION OF SATELLITE REMOTE SENSING

A natural phenomenon in the hydrological cycle is flooding. Flooding is necessary to
replenish soil fertility by periodically adding nutrients and fine grained sediment; however, it can also
cause loss of life, temporary destruction of animal habitat and permanent damage to urban and rural
infrastructure. Inland floods can result from disruption to natural or man-made dams, catastrophic
melting of ice and snow, rain, river ice jams and or excessive runoff in the spring (Source:
Fundamental of Remote Sensing).
Remote sensing techniques are used to measure and monitor the areal extent of the flooded
areas, to efficiently target rescue efforts and to provide quantifiable estimates of the amount of land
and infrastructure affected. Incorporating remotely sensed data into a GIS allows for quick
calculations and assessments of water levels, damage, and areas facing potential flood danger.
Users of this type of data include flood forecast agencies, hydropower companies, conservation
authorities, city planning and emergency response departments, and insurance companies (for flood
compensation). The identification and mapping of floodplains, abandoned river channels, and
meanders are important for planning and transportation routing (Source: Fundamental of Remote
Sensing).

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 MASTER PROGRAM OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
POST GRADUATE STUDY PROGRAM
UDAYANA UNIVERSITY
OCEANOGRAPHY & REMOTE SENSING CONCENTRATION
NAME : PUTU ARYASTANA
NO. ID : 1091261020
DISASTER MITIGATION

In the future satellite remote sensing is undoubtedly very useful in the flood prediction
investigation but it must be combined with GIS techniques. In the case of disaster management, it is
a must to show the area of influenced with the specifically spatial information so as early action can
be taken to reduce the damages and the important is lives. In addition, remote sensing can also be
used to make an assessment for the danger of flood, so that flood hazard map can be made based
on data from satellite remote sensing and field data. Flood hazard map is useful for the government
in taking a decision to flood control planning.

V. EXAMPLE OF THE APPLICATION OF SATELLITE REMOTE SENSING

Application of Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques for Flood Vulnerability and Mitigation
Planning in Munshiganj District of Bangladesh is a one example for the application of satellite remote
sensing for flood disaster. This study was carried out to create flood vulnerability map of Munshiganj
district using satellite and GIS techniques. Landsat TM data was used to generate a land cover, and
JERS-SAR and RADASAT data were combined to map flooded area in a normal flood event.
Combining them with population data a population distribution map was produced according to land
use types. Subsequently, this outcome was compared with flooded area mapped using satellite data
in creating population that is at risk during a normal flood event. Attempt was made to identify
shelters in a flood event based on information such as existing schools/hospitals location,
topography and accessibility. Prioritization of shelters was carried out based on population at risk
during a normal flood event. Finally, a flood mitigation plan for Munshiganj district based on
evacuation was proposed considering selected center capacities and the accessibility (K
Prathumchai, 2005). The result of his study can see on figure 2, 3 and 4.

Figure 2. Land use Map in 1999-2000 (K Prathumchai, 2005)

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 MASTER PROGRAM OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
POST GRADUATE STUDY PROGRAM
UDAYANA UNIVERSITY
OCEANOGRAPHY & REMOTE SENSING CONCENTRATION
NAME : PUTU ARYASTANA
NO. ID : 1091261020
DISASTER MITIGATION

Figure 3. Flood and Non-Flood Area (K Prathumchai, 2005)

Figure 4. Flood Vulnerability Map (K Prathumchai, 2005)

Figure 2 and 3 shows land use map and the flooded/non-flooded areas of the study. There
are four categorize of land use: agriculture, built-up, settlement and water bodies. During normal
flood 61% of the study area is affected by flood and the affect is very prominent in west of the study
area. Flood vulnerability map shows in Figure 4. It was found that almost all union of this district are
inundated during flood season. In terms of area and population affected by flood, the Serajdikhan is
the most affected Upazila due to it is comparatively in lower elevation. Lowest affected area is
Tangibari.