Characterization of the 2014 Indus River Flood Using Hydraulic Simulations and Satellite Images

Rivers play an essential role to humans and ecosystems, but they also burst their banks during floods, often causing extensive damage crop, property, loss of lives. This paper characterizes the 2014 flood Indus River in Pakistan using US Army Corps Engineers Hydrologic Engineering Centre Analysis System (HEC-RAS) model, integrated into a geographic information system (GIS) satellite images from Landsat-8. The model is used estimate spatial extent assess that it caused by examining changes different land-use/land-cover (LULC) types river basin. Extreme flows for return periods were estimated frequency analysis log-Pearson III distribution, which Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) test identified as best distribution characterize flow regime at Taunsa Barrage. output was then incorporated HEC-RAS determine flood, with accuracy this modelling approach assessed Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS). results show supervised classification Landsat able identify LULC study region high degree accuracy, most affected crop/agricultural land, 50% flood. Finally, hydraulic simulation found visually compare very well MODIS image, surface area floods calculated. provides further evidence benefit hydrological mapping assessment inform development risk mitigation strategies.