Flood Susceptibility Mapping Using Geo-Spatial Techniques: A Case Study of Himayatsagar Catchment, Telangana

Floods are among the most frequent and destructive natural disasters, causing severe damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and human life. Effective flood susceptibility mapping is essential for disaster preparedness and mitigation. This study utilizes Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to analyze flood-prone areas in Himayatsagar catchment in Telangana state, based on multiple geospatial factors. Key flood-conditioning parameters such as elevation, slope, drainage density, land use/land cover (LULC), soil type, and rainfall were integrated using Shuttle Radar Topography Mission(SRTM), Digital Elevation Model (DEM), Landsat 8 satellite imagery, and hydrological datasets. A multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) approach with Weighted Overlay Analysis was applied to generate a flood susceptibility map. The results classify areas into high, moderate, and low flood risk zones, helping identify vulnerable locations. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of RS and GIS in flood hazard assessment, providing valuable insights for urban planning, infrastructure development, and disaster risk management. The methodology can be adapted for other regions to improve flood resilience and response strategies.