A weighted overlay analysis for assessing urban flood risks in arid lands: A case study of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Urban flood-hazard assessment
Urban flooding poses a significant problem in arid regions, where unusual rainfall events can lead to disastrous consequences. This study used geographic information systems (GIS) to identify and predict potential flood risk zones in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. A comprehensive flood risk map was created by integrating various datasets, including digital elevation models (DEM), lithology, precipitation patterns, slope, and drainage density. Through a weighted overlay analysis, Riyadh was segmented into zones with different levels of flood susceptibility, ranging from low to very high risk. The study area spans 905 km2. Of this total area, 32% is at a low risk of flooding, while 31%, 24%, and 12% of the area are at a moderate, high, and very high risk of flooding, respectively. The findings of the study were validated through field surveys conducted before and after recent rainfall events. These validation efforts corroborated the high-risk areas predicted by the model, thereby ensuring the reliability of the map for future urban planning and risk mitigation strategies.
Urban flooding poses a significant problem in arid regions, where unusual rainfall events can lead to disastrous consequences. This study used geographic information systems (GIS) to identify and…
Groundwater is a critical resource in arid regions such as Khamis Mushayt, located in southwestern Saudi Arabia, where surface water availability is limited.
This study employs Geographic Information Systems (GIS) combined with multivariate statistical techniques to evaluate soil contamination at two landfill sites in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.