Assessment of flood susceptibility using AHP and remote sensing-derived products, a case study in Punjab, Pakistan

Flood susceptibility mapping is a valuable approach for disaster risk management, especially in flood-risk regions such as Punjab, Pakistan. This study applies a multi-criteria decision analysis, using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and remote sensing-derived products in a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) environment to assess flood susceptibility across the region. We selected seven flood indicators based on a literature review and weighed them by consulting expert knowledge. Two flood susceptibility maps were calculated, (1), a 30 m resolution raster, and (2), an aggregated map of administrative boundaries. The model was validated with historical flood events, derived via Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), to assess the model’s reliability. The findings revealed that 43.23% of the study area is at high and very-high flood susceptibility, especially low-lying areas characterized by proximity to riverbanks and flat slopes covered with cropland. The results can support policymakers and disaster management authorities in enhancing flood mitigation.