Potential of high resolution satellite data for disaster management: a case study of Leh, Jammu & Kashmir (India) flash floods, 2010

The town of Leh and its adjoining areas were affected by severe flash floods and mudslides triggered by a cloud burst over the Leh region on 6 August 2010. Identification of the area affected by flash floods is a challenging task under unfavourable weather conditions, collapse of communication systems and damage to transportation systems. Rapid satellite based assessment of high resolution satellite data from Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites Cartosat-1, Cartosat-2B and RISAT-2 (microwave satellite) was carried out for identification of the locations affected by flash floods in the Leh region. Severe damage to roads, houses, canals and agricultural fields is observed from the analysis of Choglamsar, the worst affected. The present paper discusses pre- and post-event satellite based changes observed due to the flash floods and mudslides in the Leh region, in general and in Choglamsar village, in particular.