download the full article here - E-International Scientific Research ...

E-International Scientific Research Journal
ISSN: 2094-1749 Volume: 3 Issue: 2, 2011
Morphometric Analysis of Third order River Basins using
High Resolution Satellite Imagery and GIS Technology:
Special Reference to Natural Hazard Vulnerability
Assessment
Abstract
Pradeep K. Rawat * , P.C. Tiwari * and Charu C. Pant **
* Department of Geography Kumaun University, Nainital, India
** Department of Geology Kumaun University, Nainital, India
Email: geopradeeprawat@hotmail.com
The main objective of the study was to analysis the morphometric parameters of third order sub
basins (TOSBs) special reference to natural hazard vulnerability assessment through integrated
GIS database modeling on geo-informatics and morphometry-informatics modules. The Dabka
River Basin (DRB) constitutes a part of the Kosi Basin in the Lesser Himalaya, India in district
Nainital has been selected for the case illustration. Geo-informatics module consists of GIS
mapping for location map, drainage map, drainage order map, lineament map, structural map,
geological map etc. Morphometric module consists of morphometric analysis for several
drainage basin parameters include drainage pattern, stream order, stream number, stream
length, mean stream length, drainage pattern, drainage density, stream frequency, stream length
ratio, relief ratio, elongation ratio, bifurcation ratio, form factor, circularity ratio and sinuosity
index. Consequently the morphometric results integrated with geo-informatics parameters to
assess the natural hazard vulnerability in all third order sub basins (TOSBs) and the final
integrated results concluded that out of total 23 sub basins maximum 17 sub basins are highly
vulnerable for several natural hazards whereas only 4 sub basins and 2 sub basins have
respectively moderate and low natural hazards vulnerability.
Keywords: GI-Science, Geo-informatics, Morphometry-informatics, Natural Hazards
Introduction
Dwarfing all other mountains of the world in sheer height, Himalaya is the youngest mountain
system, which is still undergoing tectonic movement due to prevailing geological conditions.
Though each and every part of the world is more or less susceptible to natural calamities, the
Himalaya due to its complex geological structures, dynamic geomorphology, and seasonality in
hydro-meteorological conditions experience natural disasters very frequently, especially waterinduced
hazards (Bisht, 1991; Bora and Lodhiyal, 2010; Rawat et. al., 2011). Although the
Himalaya is highly vulnerable for all type of hazards such as erosion, land slide, flood in
70