GIS-based disaster management A case study for Allahabad Sadar sub-district (India) S.H. Abbas, R.K. Srivastava and R.P. Tiwari Department of Civil Engineering, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, India, and P. Bala Ramudu Department of Civil Engineering, Institute of Technology – Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi India Abstract Purpose – This paper aims to demonstrate a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based study on development of District Disaster Management System for floods for Allahabad Sadar Sub-District (India). Design/methodology/approach – An approach has been designed to explore the scope for the combination of Disaster Management and GIS. The flood-prone areas have been identified and their positions are marked using ArcView 9.1. GIS has been exploited to obtain the spatial information for the effective disaster management for flood-affected areas. Findings – ArcView 9.1 has been used as a tool for storing all types of relevant data for analysis and decision making. The various thematic maps include road network map, drinking water sources map, land use map, population density map, ward boundaries and location of slums. Originality/value – The paper proposes evelopment of a GIS-based early response system, and an emergency preparedness plan for the Allahabad Sadar sub-district and also analysis of the impact of flood disasters in the region and its relationship to infrastructure development with a view to identifying how local governing bodies could be helped in addressing these issues. The proposed GIS-based flood mitigation and management program would improve the current practices of disaster management process. If implemented properly, it would result in proper and quick decisions for the rescue and safety of the general public, which in turn would help in minimizing loss of life and property. Keywords Geographical Information Systems, Disasters, Floods, India Paper type Case study 1. Introduction A disaster is defined as an event (happening with or without warning) causing serious disruption to the functioning of a community or a society, means of causing or threatening death, injury or disease, damage to property, economic or environmental losses which exceed the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources (DKKV, 2002). Owing to increase in the amount of research going into disasters and their management and mitigation, almost all the definitions have more or less been talking about human sensitivity towards natural or man-made or environmental hazards. Disasters are classified into three types: natural, man-made, and hybrid disasters and they are mix of both physical factors (such as intense rainfall over a short period) and other social and economic factors (such as poverty, population growth, etc.). Disasters have different characteristics and impact; however, disasters The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at www.emeraldinsight.com/1477-7835.htm GIS-based disaster management 33 Received 7 July 2008 Revised 12 August 2008 Accepted 11 September 2008 Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal Vol. 20 No. 1, 2009 pp. 33-51 q Emerald Group Publishing Limited 1477-7835 DOI 10.1108/14777830910922433