Surface runoff hazard map distribution in Kuwait

Purpose - An attempt is made to produce a susceptibility surface runoff hazard map for Kuwait by integrating four maps: paleodrainage; topography; vegetation cover (extracted from a Landsat image of 2001); and soil. Design/methodology/approach - Local expert knowledge, weighting methods like the Delphi method and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), and GIS techniques were used to evaluate the factors controlling surface runoff hazard in Kuwait. Findings - The susceptibility surface runoff hazard map produced indicates that a moderate class of surface runoff hazard in Kuwait averages 45.5 percent, followed by a low class (21 percent). The very low, high and very high classes constitute about 8, 18.5 and 15 percent, respectively. Practical implications - The surface hazard map obtained from this study may be presented to the authorities concerned to be used as basic data for designing runoff flood prevention and mitigation measures. Originality/value - The approach adopted in this study is new to Kuwait.