Assessing and Mapping Spatial Variation Characteristics of Natural Hazards in Pakistan

Muhammad Awais Hussain, Shuai Zhang (), Muhammad Muneer, Muhammad Aamir Moawwez, Muhammad Kamran and Ejaz Ahmed
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Muhammad Awais Hussain: College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou 310058, China
Shuai Zhang: College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou 310058, China
Muhammad Muneer: School of Civil Engineering, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, China
Muhammad Aamir Moawwez: School of Civil Engineering, Shandong University, Jingshi Road 17922, Jinan 250061, China
Muhammad Kamran: Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, China
Ejaz Ahmed: Department of Geography, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590, Pakistan

Land, 2022, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-40

Abstract: One nation with the highest risk of climate catastrophes is Pakistan. Pakistan’s geographical nature makes it susceptible to natural hazards. Pakistan is facing regional differences in terms of climate change. The frequency and intensity of natural hazards due to climate change vary from place to place. There is an urgent need to recognize the spatial variations in natural hazards inside the country. To address such problems, it might be useful to map out the areas that need resources to increase resilience and accomplish adaptability. Therefore, the main goal of this research was to create a district-level map that illustrates the multi-hazard zones of various regions in Pakistan. In order to comprehend the geographical differences in climate change and natural hazards across Pakistan, this study examines the relevant literature and data currently available regarding the occurrence of natural hazards in the past. Firstly, a district-level comprehensive database of Pakistan’s five natural hazards (floods, droughts, earthquakes, heatwaves, and landslides) was created. Through consultation with specialists in related areas, hazard and weighting factors for a specific hazard were specified based on the structured district-level historical disaster database of Pakistan. After that, individual and multi-hazard ratings were computed for each district. Then, using estimated multi-hazard scores, the districts of Pakistan were classified into four zones. Finally, a map of Pakistan’s multi-hazard zones was created per district. The study results are essential and significant for policymakers to consider when making decisions on disaster management techniques, that is, when organizing disaster preparedness, mitigation, and prevention plans.

Keywords: natural hazards; climate change; spatial analysis; multi-hazard zoning; Pakistan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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