GIS-Based Assessment of Flash Flood Hazard and Community Resilience in the Melamchi River Basin, Nepal

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Volume: 12 | Issue: 1 | Year 2026 | Subscription
International Journal of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering
Received Date: 02/24/2026
Acceptance Date: 04/02/2026
Published On: 2026-04-06
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By: Suman Rawat and A.R. Kambekar.

Civil Engineering Department Sardar Patel College of Engineering Bhavan’s Campus Andheri (West), Mumbai 400 058, Maharashtra

Abstract

Abstract:

Flash floods are one of the most destructive natural hazards in mountainous regions due to their its rapid onset, high velocities, and short warning time. Erratic rainfall, cloudbursts, landslide, and climate-induced hydrological variability are the prime factors to trigger flash floods in the Himalayan region. The Melamchi River Basin in central Nepal has witness recurrent flash flood events, most notably the catastrophic 2021 flood. An Integrated hazard assessment and resilience planning are needed to mitigate effect of such events in future. The present study is GIS-based assessment of flash flood hazard and community resilience using a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach. Key contributing factors such as slope, elevation, drainage density, flow accumulation, rainfall intensity, land use/land cover, and valley confinement were integrated using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). These factors are used to generate a flash flood susceptibility map in Melamchi River Basin. The resulting susceptibility map were overlaid with settlement and infrastructure data to evaluate exposure and risk. Very high flash flood susceptibility zones are concentrated along narrow, steep river valleys and downstream confluences, where communities and vital infrastructure are vulnerable. The resilience assessment highlights the effectiveness of community-based early warning systems and local preparedness initiatives. The study also reveals a gaps in structural mitigation and land-use regulation. It emphasises the importance of basin-scale flash flood zoning, nature-based solutions, and strengthened community resilience frameworks for disaster risk reduction in Himalayan region.

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How to cite this article: Suman Rawat and A.R. Kambekar GIS-Based Assessment of Flash Flood Hazard and Community Resilience in the Melamchi River Basin, Nepal. International Journal of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering. 2026; 12(1): -p.

How to cite this URL: Suman Rawat and A.R. Kambekar, GIS-Based Assessment of Flash Flood Hazard and Community Resilience in the Melamchi River Basin, Nepal. International Journal of Geological and Geotechnical Engineering. 2026; 12(1): -p. Available from:https://journalspub.com/publication/ijgge/article=24816

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