Assessing and Mapping Spatial Variation Characteristics of Natural Hazards in Pakistan
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 pl...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Land |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/1/140 |
| _version_ | 1797439938392752128 |
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| author | Muhammad Awais Hussain Shuai Zhang Muhammad Muneer Muhammad Aamir Moawwez Muhammad Kamran Ejaz Ahmed |
| author_facet | Muhammad Awais Hussain Shuai Zhang Muhammad Muneer Muhammad Aamir Moawwez Muhammad Kamran Ejaz Ahmed |
| author_sort | Muhammad Awais Hussain |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:59:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ca5a2c49649b4bb5aec9ac0d12759eb4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-445X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T11:59:57Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Land |
| spelling | doaj.art-ca5a2c49649b4bb5aec9ac0d12759eb42023-11-30T23:04:50ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2022-12-0112114010.3390/land12010140Assessing and Mapping Spatial Variation Characteristics of Natural Hazards in PakistanMuhammad Awais Hussain0Shuai Zhang1Muhammad Muneer2Muhammad Aamir Moawwez3Muhammad Kamran4Ejaz Ahmed5College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaCollege of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou 310058, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering, Shandong University, Jingshi Road 17922, Jinan 250061, ChinaFaculty of Geosciences and Environmental Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 611756, ChinaDepartment of Geography, University of the Punjab, Lahore 54590, PakistanOne 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/1/140natural hazardsclimate changespatial analysismulti-hazard zoningPakistan |
| spellingShingle | Muhammad Awais Hussain Shuai Zhang Muhammad Muneer Muhammad Aamir Moawwez Muhammad Kamran Ejaz Ahmed Assessing and Mapping Spatial Variation Characteristics of Natural Hazards in Pakistan Land natural hazards climate change spatial analysis multi-hazard zoning Pakistan |
| title | Assessing and Mapping Spatial Variation Characteristics of Natural Hazards in Pakistan |
| title_full | Assessing and Mapping Spatial Variation Characteristics of Natural Hazards in Pakistan |
| title_fullStr | Assessing and Mapping Spatial Variation Characteristics of Natural Hazards in Pakistan |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessing and Mapping Spatial Variation Characteristics of Natural Hazards in Pakistan |
| title_short | Assessing and Mapping Spatial Variation Characteristics of Natural Hazards in Pakistan |
| title_sort | assessing and mapping spatial variation characteristics of natural hazards in pakistan |
| topic | natural hazards climate change spatial analysis multi-hazard zoning Pakistan |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/12/1/140 |
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