Identification of Geo Hazard Hotspots and their Risk Assessment along CPEC (KKH) Route using GIS & RS Techniques

Abstract

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ABSTRACT

Karakoram highway (KKH) connects the town of Hassan Abdal to Khunjrab Pass (via Gilgit and Hunza) by an all-weather 1300 Km long road. For most of its length, it passes along the mighty River Indus and various other rivers. The area is mountainous that is housing some of the largest glaciated body other than the polar world. The mere presence of these glaciated bodies along the route of KKH presents various small to large scale Geohazards all along the way. Historically disasters in these areas are a cause of both life and property loss (e.g., Gayari avalanche to small scale landslide along the KKH). The damage that occurs to the KKH due to landslides and GLOF leads to many regions being completely isolated. The aim of this final year project is to highlight areas that are critical for Glacial Lakes Outburst Floods (GLOFS) along KKH specifically near Passu region and their risk assessment / modeling for possible future disasters. Mapping of these GLOFs is done in ArcGIS software with the help of satellite imagery.