Relief Analysis for Identification of Flood Susceptibility in Khagaria District, Bihar Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

Relief analysis describes an area's relief and landform structure. It is a vital source of information for assessing flood susceptibility in a region. Khagaria is one of the most flood-prone areas in Bihar, where floods significantly affect residents, the environment, and cause economic losses. This study examines seven topographic parameters, namely elevation, slope, hillshade, drainage density, TWI (Topographic Wetness Index), ruggedness number, and relative relief in Khagaria district. These factors provide deeper insights into the flood characteristics of the study area and offer observations on the structural landscape patterns. The relief-related maps have been prepared using satellite data and Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), employing Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. According to the slope map, the terrain is mostly level, with an average elevation of 36 meters and a slight slope. Due to extensive lowland areas in the northern, north-eastern, and southern regions, along with the general relief characteristics, these areas are more prone to flooding.