Investigating The Effects of Increase in Built-Up Land on The Swat River Discharge

Abstract

Floods pose a formidable threat to communities, livelihoods, and property globally, exacerbated by the escalating effects of climate change. Pakistan, in particular, faces recurrent and devastating floods, with the Swat Watershed experiencing a history of catastrophic flooding. This research paper investigates the effects of land use changes on runoff in Swat Watershed. Our study aims to understand how urban development and other land cover changes affect runoff patterns using GIS and hydrological modeling. Despite the region's vulnerability to floods, GIS-based research is lacking in this area. Our objectives include assessing runoff variations, modeling rainfall-runoff transformation, and integrating GIS data to uncover the causes and consequences of floods. We utilize various data sources, such as DEM data, Landsat imagery, precipitation records, and discharge data. Our findings fill a gap in the literature about the Swat Watershed, providing insights for effective flood management and land use development.