Assessment of Flood Hazard and its Zoning in Baft Plain (South East Part of Iran)

Baft Plain is one of flood-prone areas with frequent damages in Iran. So, in this study in order to separate hazard zones in this plain, its hazard zoning map was prepared using geomorphological and photogeological criteria and the field visit. The base for its preparation was the interpretation of the aerial photos of 1:50000, 1:20000 and 1:40000 of the area prepared in 1956, 1988 and 1992 respectively together with the field control. In order to separate different kinds of hazard zones, we need to observe the total area as a whole as well as stereoscopically. So, a print lay down was prepared from the photos. Since specific landforms are flood-prone (such as alluvial fans, deltas and flood plains), it is possible to evaluate the intensity and kind of flooding on these landforms considering delicate topography and tonal variations using aerial photos. So, the flood hazard zoning map of this plain was prepared by interpreting aerial photos and checking the interpreted map of the field. In the presented map several hazard zones such as checked ‘high flood spreading hazard’ on alluvial fans, ‘high flood inundation hazard of the basal parts of alluvial fans’ were identified and separated. Overlay of flood hazard map with the land use map revealed the elements at risk. Hence, some parts of Baft town lie at flood spreading hazard zone and the eastern parts of this town are threatened by river flooding. Also, several residential areas and agricultural fields are at threat. The prepared map may be used for all aspects of flood hazard management such as land use change, flood alerting, search and rescue operations, hazard resistant construction as well as flood-insurance rate determination. It is suggested that occupation of high hazard areas be forbidden by applying watershed management practices, the flood hazard being abated.