Sungai Pahang digital flood mapping: 2007 flood

Abstract

In this study, visits to areas in the subcatchments of Sungai Pahang, including Mentakab, Temerloh, Maran and Pekan, were made throughout the year 2009 to obtain information regarding inundation areas, flood depth, flow discharge and water levels relevant to the 2007 flood. Interviews with local people were also made to ascertain the true picture of the 2007 flood. Analyses of rainfall data, water level, flow discharge and river cross-sectional changes were carried out from data gathering. The development of a digital elevation model (DEM) was made from a combination of digital topographical maps and satellite images which were purchased from Jabatan Ukur dan Pemetaan Malaysia. This visually enhanced DEM was then used for the development of the actual extent of the 2007 flood in the study area. Several options of flood mitigation works are proposed to reduce the impact of a similar flood in the future based on the developed DEM.

Keywords:

• Flooding
• alluvial river
• flood mitigation
• GIS
• Sungai Pahang

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Universiti Sains Malaysia for funding a research university grant (1001.PREDAC.814056) to conduct this research. The authors also thank the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia for providing data, as well as staff of REDAC, Universiti Sains Malaysia, for their involvement in the research work.