Assessing tropical cyclone impacts using object-based moderate spatial resolution image analysis: a case study in Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

The environmental and societal impacts of tropical cyclones could be reduced using a range of management initiatives. Remote sensing can be a cost effective, accurate, and potential tool for mapping the multiple impacts caused by tropical cyclones using high-to-moderate spatial resolution (5–30 m) satellite imagery to provide data on the following essential parameters – evacuation, relief, and management of natural resources. This study developed and evaluated an approach for assessing the impacts of tropical cyclones through object-based image analysis and moderate spatial resolution imagery. Pre- and post-cyclone maps of artificial and natural features are required for assessing the overall impacts in the landscape that could be acquired by mapping specific land cover types. We used the object-based approach to map land-cover types in pre- and post-cyclone Satellite Pour l’Observation de la Terre (SPOT) 5 image data and the post-classification comparison technique to identify changes in the particular features in the landscape. Cyclone Sidr (2007) was used to test the applicability of this approach in Sarankhola Upazila in Bangladesh. The object-based approach provided accurate results for classifying features from pre- and post-cyclone satellite images with an overall accuracy of 95.43% and 93.27%, respectively. Mapped changes identified the extent, type, and form of cyclone induced impacts. Our results indicate that 63.15% of the study area was significantly affected by cyclone Sidr. The majority of mapped damage was found in vegetation, cropped lands, settlements, and infrastructure. The damage results were verified through the high spatial resolution satellite imagery, reports and pictures that were taken after the cyclone. The methods developed may be used in future to assess the multiple impacts caused by tropical cyclones in Bangladesh and other similar environments for the purposes of tropical cyclone disaster management.

Acknowledgements

This study was funded by International Post Graduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) and the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. Access to SPOT-5 images from Airbus Defence and Space and field support was provided by the School of Geography and Planning and Environmental Management (GPEM), UQ. WorldView-1 and QuickBird-2 images were provided by DigitalGlobe Foundation. Research facilities were provided by the Remote Sensing Research Centre (RSRC), GEPM, UQ. The authors would also like to thank the two anonymous reviewers for their excellent comments and suggestions to improve the overall quality of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by International Post Graduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) and the University of Queensland (UQ), Australia.