Developing a SDSS for multi-criteria flood susceptibility mapping in Malaysia

Flood are the natural disaster occurred which causes socio-economic consequences by
devastating economic and social losses. The aim of this study is to propose a GIS
multi-criteria methodology to produce a reliable hazard zone mapping and prediction
of flood-prone areas. Flood mapping has been used widely in many countries
nowadays as a method to encounter this natural hazard phenomenon. Understanding
the surface and subsurface condition can tremendously improve an accurate flood
susceptibility map for effective flood catastrophe management. In this study, Spatial
Decision Support System (SDSS) method which has combined application of
Geographical Information System (GIS) and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis
(MCDA) based on expert`s opinion was adopted. Establishing a flood susceptibility
map based on the significance of the flood causing factors is the main objective of this
study. Eight factors that are relevant to the hazard of flooding was considered in the
methodology, such as stream power index (SPI), land use, slope angle, topographic
wetness index (TWI), geology, runoff, elevation, and distance from drainage network.