Dimensions, Factors and Processes Affecting the Occurrence of Floods in Ilam City

Ilam is located through mountains; therefore, every heavy rain develops a flooding in the city. For example, in October 29, 2015, a 189 millimeter raining created a disaster leaving more than 17 million dollars financial loss and 7 casualties. This research aimed to determine the aspects, factors and processes affecting the Ilam’s flooding. This is an applied research with descriptive–analytical and survey approach. A library and reference method used to collect data and apprehend the conditions. Another part of the research utilized a field approach to collect questionnaire prepared with AHP method, which gave out to 30 professionals. Delphi technique was used for distribution among the sample size. The AHP method used again to find out the aim of the paper. The method entailed aspects (natural, somatic, economic, management, social - cultural), variables weighted according to expert’s opinions. Also, the importance of variables asked from professionals through a questionnaire. The attempt to analyze the data, aspects and indicators compared two by two using Expert Choice software. Among the selected indicators (natural, somatic, economic, management, social - cultural), the class of management indicators deemed most important by professionals (weight of 0.343). Natural and somatic indicators rated second and third. The experts weighed the economic and social – cultural indicators 0.134 and 0.162 respectively putting them in the fourth and fifth rate with least importance on flooding. Therefore, all the selected aspects and indicators were effective on Ilam’s flooding and their impacts degree determined.