Proceedings of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences:

Pakistan Academy of Sciences

A. Physical and Computational Sciences: 57 (2): 1-10 (2020)
Copyright © Pakistan Academy of Sciences
ISSN: 2518-4245 (print), 2518-4253 (online) Research Article

Exploring Surface Runoff Potential and Water Harvesting Sites in

Dera Ismail Khan Rod-kohi Area Using GIS and Remote Sensing
Shanzeela Farooq1*, Rukhsana Kausar1, Arshad Ashraf2, and Barira Haider1

Department of Environmental Sciences, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan

1

2
Climate, Energy and Water Research Institute, National Agricultural Research Center (NARC),
Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract: Hill-torrent floods are becoming a serious hazard owing to the changing climate in the arid region of
Pakistan. A large amount of floodwater is lost due to mismanagement, which results in the loss of valuable lives
and property downstream every year. In the present study, surface runoff potential was investigated and water
harvesting sites were identified for sustainable irrigation in the rod-kohi region of Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa province using GIS and RS techniques. Overall 533 water harvesting sites were identified with total
runoff potential of over 154 million m3 in the target hill-torrent region using geospatial modeling techniques coupled
with ground information. For water harvesting interventions, 26 sites were finally selected over the plain to gentle
slopes in unused land below 300 m elevation. Cost-effective earthen water reservoirs could be developed for future
runoff water harvesting in this region. An integrated floodwater management approach encompassing containment of
environmental degradation, institutional strengthening, and capacity building of the locals will have to be adopted for
the effective development of this region in the future.

Keywords: Hill-torrent flood, Remote sensing, Rod-kohi, Water harvesting.

1. INTRODUCTION sector and the natural resources like land and

Water shortage is a major obstacle in many arid and
semi-arid regions of the world including Pakistan
for sustainable development and poverty alleviation,
which can be further aggravated by global climate
change [1]. The potential hydrological effects of
climate change are increasingly contributing to
the uncertainty in water availability in the Indus
basin [2-3]. Hill-torrent flood studies have been
conducted in countries, like Egypt [4], Saudi
Arabia [5-6], Nigeria [7], South Korea [8]. Pakistan
is highly vulnerable to water stress in response
to growing water demand and climate change [9-
11]. Hill-torrent floods have an extreme impact
downstream due to their flashy and unpredictable
nature [12-13] and often result in serious economic,
social, and environmental effects [2]. The growing
food requirements of the country under a projected
increase of 213 million in population till 2025 are
exerting tremendous pressure on the agriculture
water, which are the medium of food production.
Increasing water use is placing demands and
constraints on the natural environment as water
resources become depleted [14-15]. The last
drought span (1998-2003) has also sensitized the
planners and policymakers for the need for major
investment in the water sector such as building
new reservoirs and improving the operation of
irrigation infrastructure. In this scenario, ensuring
food security and triggering economic growth of
the country require to elevate the efforts of water
management at micro and macro levels. Hill-torrent
flows and floods have potential prospects to meet
the growing demands of water for agriculture in
the country [16]. Rainwater harvesting (RWH)
offers potential as a means to reduce the demand
for potable water in non-consumptive use and is
particularly important in the arid and semi-arid
regions [17] to reduce the risk of extreme climate
events like droughts/floods.

————————————————
Received: September 2018; Accepted: June 2020
*Corresponding Author: Shanzeela Farooq <shanzila@gmail.com>
 structures to control the torrent flows [19-21]. The hill-torrent flo
The poverty in the area is miserable along with mountains of the Su
2 heavy flood Shanzeela flows Farooq calls etfor al rational and The major problem o
systematic floodwater management to enhance variability in the am
The annual rainfallagricultural productivity and economic growth
in the majority of the hill- The main focus of this study is to surface
assess surface flows for ir
torrent region of Pakistan is very low and patchy runoff potential and identify water harvesting sites
in the region. flood season, the hill
but brings a large amount of floodwater with each for sustainable irrigation in the rod-kohi region of
event [18]. During the 2010 flood, Remote
the hill-torrent D.I. Khan districttechnique Kohi- Rod mean t
using GIS and RS techniques.
The sensing (RS)
region of Dera Ismail Khan (D.I. Khan) in Khyber hill/mountain) is dive
provides an efficient way of studying the
Pakhtunkhwa province generated high floods that 1.1 Hill-torrent irrigation by traditionally mad
existingandland
destroyed valuably cultivated resources
built-up land in and floodwater extent, through the torrent. T
the downstream (Fig 1). whether in the
Despite water inaccessible
shortage in The areas, minimizing
hill-torrent floods originate from high
irrigation cum flood c
the area, a heavy amounttheof floodwater
expensesis involved
lost due to inmountains
regular offield surveys range in the west.
the Suleiman
mismanagement, i.e., unavailability control
is thethe floods an
[22]. Bakirof et any al.
kind [17]
of The major problem
utilized GIS and of theRShill-torrent areas
storage and modernized engineering structures to variability in the amount and distributionmore effectively and
of surface
techniques for rainwater
control the torrent flows [19-21]. The poverty in the harvesting in the Syrian
flows for irrigation use [25]. During flood season,
area is miserable alongDesert,
with heavy Al-Badia.
flood flows Saher
calls et the al. [16] applied
hill-torrent GIS‘Rod Kohi- Rod The
water (locally mean different ris
and floodwater
for rational and systematic RS techniques management to identify
torrent the potential
and ‘kohi’ meanssiteshill/mountain) region
is diverted include E
to enhance agriculturalinproductivity and economic to the
the Vehowa command area in the western part agriculture lands by traditionally made sand
availability; water s
growth in the region. diversion barriers through the torrent. The primary
of Punjab province for harnessing floodwater.
purpose of the irrigation cum flood control scheme
Siltation in channels
The Remote sensing Andrew Lo et al.provides
(RS) technique [23] identified
to controlthe thebest
floodssuitable
and manage this flooddeposition
water of sedim
an efficient way of sitesstudyingforthe
harvesting
existing land rainfallmore byeffectively
using the judiciously [26]. Salinity due to floo
and SWAT
resources and floodwatermodel. There is a need to identify resource
extent, whether in the water application i
inaccessible areas, minimizing the expenses Risk types identified in this region include
potential and suitable water management observance of water
involved in regular field surveys [22]. Bakir et al. Excessive flood water availability; water shortage
[17] utilized GIS and strategies
RS techniquestoforenhance
rainwater agricultural
during drought; Siltation in channels irrigation
productivity owing to scheme
harvesting in the Syrianand economic
Desert, growth
Al-Badia. Saher et in the erosion;
uplands’ Rod-kohi areasof sedimentation
deposition benchmark
in the objectiv
al. [16] applied GIS and[24].
RS techniques to identify distribute the flood w
fields; Salinity due to flood ponding; Inappropriate
the potential sites in the Vehowa command area in water application in the fields and non-observancemake sure the supply
The main
the western part of Punjab province focus of this
for harnessing of waterstudy is toTheassess
rights. design of any irrigation
floodwater. Andrew Losurface
stakeholders; to reduc
runoff the
et al. [23] identified potential
best and is identify
scheme usually based water
on benchmark objectives
suitable sites for harvesting rainfallsites
by using on water issues, an
harvesting for the like to equitably
sustainable irrigation distribute
in thethe flood water as per
SWAT model. There is a need to identify resource requirement; to make sure the supply ofeconomic irrigation status of th
rod-kohi
potential and suitable water regionstrategies
management of D.I. Khan water to district using GIS
all stakeholders; to reduce the community
to enhance agriculturaland RS techniques.
productivity and economic disputes on water issues, and to improve the socio- The high velociti
growth in the Rod-kohi areas [24]. economic status of the community. damage stream bank
lands due to erosion
fields by making emb
(1.8 m) depending o
water, and other
Embankment fields
which is allowed to s
is plowed and sown.
late February to Ma
heavy flood in monso
winter crops. Mostly
at the end of Augu
depending on the e
Later, when the favo
Fig 1. The extent of hill-torrent flood in D.I. Khan district, Khyber
sow their fields. Th
Fig. 1. The province
Pakhtunkhwa extent of hill-torrent
during 2010 flood in D.I. Khan keep livestock as b
district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province during 2010 livelihood.
 Assessment of Runoff Water Harvesting Potential Using Geo-Spatial Techniques 3

The high velocities of floodwater generally to April. Mean temperature varies from 26°C to
damage stream banks and degrade agricultural lands 44°C in the summer and 4°C to 20°C in the winter.
due to erosion [27]. The farmers construct fields by
The area consists of rugged topography with
making embankments of about 1.5–3 m (1.8 m) numerous dry, intermittent, and few perennial
depending on the type of soil, share in water, and nullahs. The altitude of the area ranges between 150
other factors to store water. Embankment fields arem to more than 1200 m. The elevation gradually
filled up with water, which is allowed to soak in, increases from the flood plain in the east towards
after which the field is plowed and sown. Timings the mountainous area in the west. The average
of the flood are late February to March for summer slope is 2% ranging from Indus River to the foot
crops and heavy flood in monsoon from July to of Suleiman Range. Gravel fans form distinct
August for winter crops. Mostly farmers irrigate Piedmont zones while the sub-Piedmont zone is
their fields at the end of August to mid of September
characterized by gentle slope and finer sediments
depending on the embankment of the field. Later, (sand and silt). The piedmont plains are found
when the favorable season come farmers sow their in the local alluvium derived from adjoining
fields. The majority of the farmers keep livestock as
mountains, where soils are generally medium to
back-up support for their livelihood. coarse textured partly gravelly (Fig 3). Gravel and
sand deposits, braided stream pattern and bad-land
1.2 Description of the study area topography characterize the Piedmont Plain. The
soils belonging to Pleistocene Piedmont terraces
The hill-torrent region of D.I. Khan stretches over are moderate to strongly calcareous mainly silty to
an area of 4982 km2 (about 68% of the total district clayey with low organic matter [25]. The soils on
area) between longitudes 70° 11′ and 71°20′ E and higher elevations have homogenized to moderate
latitudes
er Harvesting 31° 15′ and
Potential Using32° 32′ N on the west bank
Geo-Spatial depths but others are invariably stratified. The Sub-
Techniques
of River Indus in the southeastern part of Khyber Piedmont Plain contains fine-textured soils and
Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan (Fig 2). The is traversed by numerous small, meandering, dry
income are subsistence agriculture and livestock
climate in rearing.
the district isMajor
arid to semi-arid
crops in thechannels,
with hot summer whicharehave their origin in the Piedmont
millet
stretches summers and moderately cold winters. Mean annual Plain.
(bajra and jawar) and maize, and in the winter
the total
11′ and
rainfall ranges
are between
wheat, 180–305 mm (1980-2009
chickpea, and oilseeds. Millet crops
are grown given its deep root system,
Not all thelow runoffwater
32′ N on period). More than 50 percent rains are received water is generated from
requirements, and better drought tolerance.
theastern during the monsoon period (July-September), the inside the district boundaries but large runoff water,
Besides, vegetables and fruit crops are also
Pakistan rest in late winters and early spring from February generally in the perennial form is coming from the
grown where limited perennial water is available
s arid to
for sustainable farming in the area.
oderately
l ranges
period).
d during
the rest
bruary to
26°C to
C in the

aphy with
perennial
between
elevation
in in the
the west.
om Indus
ravel fans
the sub-
ntle slope
lt). The
alluvium
here soils Fig.
Fig 2. Location
2. Location ofRod-kohi
of D.I. Khan D.I. Khan Rod-kohi
area Pakistan indicatingarea
major Pakistan
physiographic regions.
ed partly indicating major physiographic regions.
deposits,
pography
he soils
 Shanzeela Farooq et al
4 Shanzeela Farooq et al

of D.I. Khan distr

use, and ground co
collected through
global positioning

2.2. Geospatial d
The geo-database
topography, hydro
developed in ArcG
features like drain
were extracted fro
scale through
digitization in GI
referenced using U
projection (Zone
integration and m
data was processe
Fig 3. Distribution of soil classes in D.I. Khan Rod-kohi area. as well as digital
Fig.3. Distribution of soil classes in D.I. Khan Rod- cover/land use of
kohi area.
catchments lying outside in the west in Baluchistan of catchment boundaries, drainage network the and land cover cl
province. The main sources of income are physiographic zones based on elevation as defined
layers obtained fr
2. andMATERIALS
subsistence agriculture livestock rearing. MajorANDbyMETHODS Hubert [28]. The zones include Lowland (<300
layers
crops in the summer are millet (bajra and jawar) m); Hilly area (300-700 m); Middle mountain (700- give a com
and maize, and in the winter are wheat, chickpea, 2000 m) and High mountain (>2000 m). Theseparaterainfall base laye
2.1. Data used
and oilseeds. Millet crops are grown given its deep data of 12 climate stations lying within and in the
stacked. For bette
root system, low water requirements, and better vicinity of the study area (Table 1) was acquired
drought tolerance.The remote
Besides, sensing
vegetable and fruitdata from
of LANDSAT 8 was
the Pakistan Meteorological classified and in th
Department
crops are also grown acquired fromwater the
where limited perennial USGS to generate
(PMD), Islamabad separated
sitea rainfall map. The by sub-
is available for sustainable farming in the area. elevation of these station ranges between 9layersm and and imag
(http://glovis.usgs.gov/) for land use/land cover
1725 m, while annual rainfall varies between 76
2. MATERIALS AND (LULC)METHODS analysis of the study mm and area.
698 mm.TheTheGoogle
soil map was acquired ERDASfrom imagine.
Earth images were used toSoil supplement the image
survey of Pakistan performed in Ar
and related information
2.1 Data used from the soil survey report of D.I. Khantool. district It was cate
analysis and support in the selection of
[29]. Socioeconomics, land use, and ground control
The remote sensing appropriate
data of LANDSATwater 8 harvesting
was points sites.
(GCPs) The digital
data were forest,
collected through field cropland, ra
acquired from the elevation model (DEM) surveys
USGS site (http://glovis.usgs. of the aidedshuttle global positioningwater.
with the radar system The settlem
gov/) for land use/land cover (LULC) analysis of (GPS).
topography mission (SRTM) of 30 m resolution of bare soil as th
the study area. The Google Earth images were used
was analysis
to supplement the image downloaded
and support in thefrom the web
2.2 Geospatial site
data preparation Later quantitative
(http://www.gdemaster.ersdac.or.jp/)
selection of appropriate water harvesting sites. The for assess the extent o
digital elevation model (DEM) of the shuttle radar The
delineation of catchment boundaries, drainage geo-databases and spatial data the area.
layers of
topography mission (SRTM) of 30 m resolution topography, hydrology, soils, and land use were
was downloaded networkfrom the web and site physiographic
(http:// developedzones based
in ArcGIS on The topographic
software. ArcSWAT mo
elevation as
www.gdemaster.ersdac.or.jp/) for defined
delineationby Hubert [28].drainage,
features like The zones
locations, and boundaries
web link: http://s
include Lowland (<300 m); Hilly area (300-700 to delineate catch
m); Middle mountain (700-2000 m) and High a river network.
 Assessment of Runoff Water Harvesting Potential Using Geo-Spatial Techniques 5

were extracted from topo-sheets of a 1: 50,000 use management activities on the overall watershed
scale through scanning and on-screen digitization health including streamflow and water quality [30].
in GIS. The data layers were geo-referenced The flowchart of the methodology followed in the
using Universal Transverse Mercator projection study area is shown in Fig 4. The threshold value
(Zone 42: datum WGS 84) for data integration was set at 500 ha. The rainfall and elevation data of
and modeling. The Landsat 8 image data was 12 climate stations (Table 1) were used to develop a
processed and analyzed through visual as well as regression equation between the two variables (Eq.
digital interpretation to analyze land cover/land use 1) which was input in the raster calculator tool of
of the study area. The first step in the land cover ArcMap to generate rainfall map in raster format.
classification is the stacking of layers obtained from
USGS. Stacking the band layersofgive
Assessment Runoffa composite
Water Harvesting[R] = 0.26 * [DEM]
Potential + 103
Using Geo-Spatial Techniques (1)
image by combining separate base layers. Layer
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 were stacked. For better results, the Where R represents mean annual rainfall (mm) and
wholevalue set at 500
image was classified and inha.the The rainfall
end, the study andDEM represents The elevation
net runoff (m).water potential
The zonal (Qrp) was
statistics
elevation data of 12 climate
area was then separated by sub-setting of image.stations (Table 1) estimated using the surface runoff
function of ArcMap was used to determine to mean (Q sr) and the
were
Stacking used to
of layers anddevelop a regression
image sub-setting equationannual precipitation
was done water use (Q at wu ) measured
each catchmentinwhich
m via
3
was water
betweenimagine.
in ERDAS the two Supervised
variables (Eq. 1) which waslater applied
Classification balancetoEquation
estimate3:rainfall volume (Qrv).
input in the
was performed in raster
ArcMap calculator
throughtool the of ArcMap toThe surface runoff (Q ) was estimated through
Isocluster Qrp =sr Qsr – Qwu (3)
generate rainfall map in raster format.
tool. It was categorized into 6 classes, i.e., forest, multiplying the rainfall volume (Qrv) by runoff
cropland,
[R] =rangelands,
0.26 * [DEM] rocks, bare soil, and water.
+ 103 (1) TheCwater
coefficient (i.e.,use
0.26) ) was assessed
(Qwuderived from water
from studies
The settlement was included in the bare soil class conducteddiverted through existing
by NESPAK [31] for flood
themanagement
Suleiman and
as the areaWhere R represents
is sparsely populated. mean annual rainfallregion following
Later quantitative irrigationEq.
schemes
2. to sustain livelihood of the
(mm) and DEM represents elevation (m). The local communities. The irrigation schemes are
analysis was performed to assess the extent of
zonal statistics function of ArcMap was used to generally meant to supply surface water
different land use classes in the area. Q = Qrv* 0.26 (2) for
determine to mean annual precipitation at each sr raising crops and orchards in the area. The low
catchment which was later applied to estimate
ArcSWAT model (Q
rainfall volume was).downloaded
The surfacefrom the(Q )
runoff The net and
flows partwater
runoff of the potential
flood flows(Qrp)
from wasstreams is
web waslink: estimated
rv
http://swat.tamu.edu/software/arcswat
sr utilized for irrigation through construction of
through multiplying the rainfallestimated using the surface runoff (Qsr) and the
diversion channels over them. For domestic and
to delineate
volumecatchment boundaries
(Qrv) by runoff and generate
coefficient C (i.e., a0.26)water use (Q ) measured in m3 via water balance
otherwu purposes, inhabitants generally prepare
river network. The outlet of the catchments
derived from studies conducted by NESPAK (here Equation 3:
open ponds to store rain and runoff water for
sub-basins)
[31] forwas
themarked
Suleiman that served
region as a base
following Eq. to2. their use. The runoff water potential from all the
generate catchment boundaries from DEM using – Qwu
Qrp = Qsrcatchments was summed up to acquire (3) total
Q sr = Qrv * 0.26
the Watershed delineation tool of the model. The (2)
runoff water potential in the study area.
SWAT operated in ArcGIS is a watershed model The water use (Qwu) was assessed from water
used to study the impact of agricultural and land- diverted through existing flood management and

Table 1. List of Climate stations covering the study area

Longitude Latitude Elevation Annual Rainfall

S. No. Climate Station
(degree) (Degree) (m) (mm)

1 Barkhan 69.56517 29.84872 1097 386.9

2 Zhob 69.44791 31.35591 1405 276.6
3 Hyderabad 68.34617 25.37951 28 124.7
4 Jacobabad 68.47583 28.28260 55 79.9
5 Multan 71.47382 30.19393 122 177.5
6 Nawabshah 68.32786 26.24199 37 105.4
7 Padidan 68.25849 26.77505 46 81.6
8 Pasni 63.45069 25.26475 9 91
9 Rohri 68.88000 27.68000 66 76
10 Sibbi 67.85718 29.54932 133 143.6
11 Parachinar 70.08733 33.91701 1725 698.2
12 D.I.Khan 70.89000 31.83000 171 269.3
6 Shanzeela Farooq et al

irrigation schemes to sustain livelihood of the local environment. The image classification of the area
communities. The irrigation schemes are generally indicated rangeland over 48%, exposed rocks over
meant to supply surface water for raising crops and 33%, open soil about 10%, and tree cover over 9%
orchards in the area. The low flows and part of the area (Fig 6). Overall 533 catchments were identified
flood flows from streams are utilized for irrigation in the hill-torrent area, most of which, i.e., 84% lie
through construction of diversion channels over over lowlands below 300 m elevation and 16% over
them. For domestic and other purposes, inhabitants the hilly area within 300–700 m elevation range.
generally prepare open ponds to store rain and
runoff water for their use. The runoff water potential The total runoff water potential estimated
from all the catchments was summed up to acquire in 533 catchments was about 154 million m3
total runoff water potential in the study area. (MCM). The annual water potential according to
areal ranges of the catchments is shown in Table
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 2. The thematic layers of physiography, slope,
soil, and LULC (as shown in Fig 6) were used
to select 28 water harvesting sites. 26 sites were
3.1 Rainfall variability and trend analysis
selected over the plain to gentle slopes, rangeland/
barren lands below 300 m elevations (Table 3 and
The rainfall exhibits high annual variability with
Fig 6). The soils of these catchments are mostly
an annual mean of about 292 mm of which 72% is non-erosive that would favor the development of
received during the Kharif season (April-September) future water harvesting sites in the downstream.
and the rest during Rabi season (October-March). The major determinants of developing specific site
In total rainfall, about 22.1% rains are received in intervention include topography; soil type; water
the 1st quarter (January-March), 20.6% in the 2nd and arable land availability; social acceptability
quarter (April-June), 51.5% in the 3rd quarter (July- (water rights); environment impact, and economic
September), and 5.8% in the 4th quarter (October- viability [31].
December) of the year. Overall rising trends in
annual and monsoon rainfall were observed at D.I. 3.3 Water harvesting options
Khan station during the 1980-2009 period (Fig 5).
The trends were positive for both rabi and Kharif The construction of farm ponds/reservoirs and
seasons, and also for all quarters except the second storage tanks ensures a sustainable water supply
one, i.e., the slight declining trend in rainfall during during the lean period of water availability, thus
the April-June period is likely due to a shift in support climate risk reduction. These structures
rainfall pattern. The trend of yearly monsoon rainfall introduced with the consensus of both upstream and
of the July-September period is comparable to the downstream communities not only help in reducing
annual rainfall trend. The monsoon precipitation in the risk of flood hazard but also aid in recharging
Pakistan has been enhanced by 22.6 mm and winter the subsurface aquifer. Other benefits of these
rainfall by 20.8 during the 1901-2007 period [32]. interventions include, funds incurred on flood relief
Assessment ofexpenditure
activities and rehabilitation Runoff Water Harvesting
would be Potential Usin
Given that rainfall and urbanization are expected
to increase following climate change, likely, flood avoided; more water will beofavailable
Assessment for irrigation
Runoff Water Harvesting Potential Usin
risk will also increase [33]. In 20% of cases, annual due to streamlined flow without any disturbance.
Table 2. Water potential in catchments according to Fig.4. Flo
rainfall exceeds 400 mm, and 48% cases exceed People would be able to utilize this controlled water
study the areal ranges
300 mm. The monsoon exhibited more than 200 inTable 2. Water
a better way,potential in catchments
as the intensity according
of the to
floodwater Fig.4. Flo
study the areal ranges
mm rainfall per annum in 25% cases of 40 years in Table 2. Water potential in catchments according to
D.I. Khan. Area
the Number of Percentage
areal ranges Annual
(km2) catchments sites in each Potential
Area Number of Percentage Annual
areal range (MCM)
3.2 Assessment of Surface runoff potential (km2) catchments sites in each Potential
areal range (MCM)
The study area was divided into three physiographic 0-3 200 37.7 3.5
zones, i.e., lowlands (<300 m) over 90.1% 3-7.0
0-3
131
200
24.7
37.7
27.78
3.5
area, hilly area (300-700 m) about 9.8%, and 7.0-13 119 22.4 51.29
3-7.0 131 24.7 27.78
middle mountains (700–2000 m) over 0.1% area 13-21 56 10.5 42.36
7.0-13 119 22.4 51.29
through the classification of DEM data in a GIS 21-50 25 4.7 28.91
13-21 56 10.5 42.36
Total 531 100 153.84
21-50 25 4.7 28.91
Total 531 100 153.84
 1 70.38336 31.64535 35.50
ssment of Runoff Water Harvesting2 Potential Using 70.43606
Geo-Spatial Techniques 31.17832 11.75
3 70.26145
Assessment of Runoff Water Harvesting Potential Using31.68336
Geo-Spatial Techniques 7 5.38
tial in catchments according to 4 70.30669
Fig.4. Flowchart of the methodology adopted31.71843in the 21.51
the areal ranges
5 70.38091 31.33268 7.74
6 70.42472 31.48964 18.05
of Percentage Annual
ts sites in each Potential 7 70.27789 31.76967 3.80
areal range (MCM)
8 70.32077 31.52701 13.96
37.7 3.5
9 70.98589 31.94353 49.53
24.7 27.78 10 70.34233 31.41939 13.17
22.4 51.29
10.5 42.36 11 70.23937 31.78589 10.98
4.7 28.91 12 71.00048 31.96983 13.37
100 153.84
13Assessment of Runoff
70.82055
Water Harvesting Potential Using 31.96869
Geo-Spatial Techniques 6.14
14 Fig 4. Flowchart
70.79609 of the methodology adopted in Present Study
32.00337 18.59
15 70.75195 32.01038 5.67
D DISCUSSION 16 the second70.31714 31.714145
one, i.e., the slight declining trend in 9.64
17 rainfall during
70.41629 the April-June period is likely
31.22651 6.96
bility and trend analysis due to a shift in rainfall pattern. The trend of
s high annual variability with
18 70.44838
yearly monsoon rainfall of the July-September31.17862 10.96
period is comparable to the annual rainfall trend.
about 292 mm of which 72%19 70.88267 31.87787 37.95
The monsoon precipitation in Pakistan has been
the Kharif season (April-
he rest during Rabi season
20 enhanced70.33534
by 22.6 mm and winter rainfall 31.72368
by 8.92
20.8 during the 1901-2007 period [32]. Given
n total rainfall, about 22.1%21 70.36857 31.37447 5.14
that rainfall and urbanization are expected to
in the 1st quarter (January-
the 2nd quarter (April-June),
22 increase 70.47899
following climate change, likely,31.09504 flood 9.81
risk will also increase [33]. In 20% of cases,
uarter (July-September), and23 70.23937 31.78616 8.44
annual rainfall exceeds 400 mm, and 48% cases
arter (October-December) of
rising trends in annual and
24 exceed 30070.64880
mm. The monsoon exhibited32.03028 more 5.67
than 200 mm rainfall per annum in 25% cases of
were observed at D.I. Khan25 70.74742 31.97381 24.16
40 years in D.I. Khan.
1980-2009 period (Fig. 5).26 Fig 5. Annual 70.73017
and monsoon rainfall trends in D.I. Khan
Fig.5. Annual and monsoon rainfall trends in D.I. Khan 31.98712
area.
area. 25.25
positive for both rabi and in the areas of low rainfall. The thematic layers
d also for all quarters except
3.2. Assessment of Surface runoff potential of physiography, slope, soil, and LULC (as
The study area was divided into three shown in Fig. 6) were used to select 28 water
physiographic zones, i.e., lowlands (<300 m) harvesting sites. About 50% of the catchments
over 90.1% area, hilly area (300-700 m) about fall in the areal category of <10 km2, 30% in the
9.8%, and middle mountains (700–2000 m) over category of 10–20 km2, and the rest in the areal
0.1% area through the classification of DEM category of >20 km2 range (Table 2). A total of
data in a GIS environment. The image 22 catchments possess <300 m3 water potential
classification of the area indicated rangeland while only 15% catchments possess >300 m3
over 48%, exposed rocks over 33%, open soil water potential. For water harvesting, 26 sites
about 10%, and tree cover over 9% area (Fig. 6). were selected over the plain to gentle sloppy,
Overall 533 catchments were identified in the rangeland/barren lands below 300 m elevations
hill-torrent area, most of which, i.e., 84% lie with >260 m3 surface runoff potential (Table 3
over lowlands below 300 m elevation and 16% and Fig. 6). The soils are underlain these
over the hilly area within 300–700 m elevation catchments are mostly non-erosive that would
range. favor the development of future water harvesting
sites in the downstream. The major determinants
The total runoff water potential estimated in
of developing specific site intervention include
533 catchments was about 0.155 million m3
topography; soil type; water and arable land
(MCM).
2018; Accepted: June 2020 A maximum runoff was observed in the
availability; social acceptability (water rights);
northern
or: Shanzeela Farooq parts of the study area. The highest
< <shanzila@gmail.com>
environment impact, and economic viability
runoff was 576 m3 in the areas of high rainfall
[31].
volume and the lowest runoff value was 315 m3

Fig 6. Thematic data layers generated for assessment of runoff water harvesting potential and sites in
D.I.Fig.6. Thematic
Khan rod-kohi area data layers generated for assessment
of runoff water harvesting potential and sites in D.I.
Khan rod-kohi area
8 Shanzeela Farooq et al

Table 3. Water harvesting potential in selected catchments

Catchment Area Annual Water
S. No. Longitude Latitude
(km2) potential (MCM)
1 70.38336 31.64535 35.50 1.16
2 70.43606 31.17832 11.75 0.38
3 70.26145 31.68336 5.36 0.18
4 70.30669 31.71843 21.52 0.70
5 70.38091 31.33268 7.74 0.25
6 70.42472 31.48964 18.09 0.59
7 70.27789 31.76967 3.82 0.13
8 70.32077 31.52701 13.96 0.46
9 70.98589 31.94353 49.54 1.62
10 70.34233 31.41939 13.15 0.43
11 70.23937 31.78589 10.90 0.36
12 71.00048 31.96983 13.37 0.44
13 70.82055 31.96869 6.14 0.20
14 70.79609 32.00337 18.61 0.61
15 70.75195 32.01038 5.65 0.19
16 70.31714 31.714145 9.65 0.32
17 70.41629 31.22651 6.96 0.23
18 70.44838 31.17862 10.90 0.36
19 70.88267 31.87787 38.04 1.25
20 70.33534 31.72368 8.92 0.29
21 70.36857 31.37447 5.11 0.17
22 70.47899 31.09504 9.83 0.32
23 70.23937 31.78616 8.44 0.28
24 70.64880 32.03028 5.69 0.19
25 70.74742 31.97381 24.12 0.79
26 70.73017 31.98712 25.37 0.83

would be broken and only a manageable quantity
of water would flow into their channels and on to
their lands [26].
The farmers’ perception about the hill-torrent
floods is that they are instantaneous, not permanent,
and are an unreliable source of irrigation and they
have a high velocity which may cause severe
damages if not managed properly. Through the
application of mechanized agriculture technologies
like tractors and bulldozers, farmers become able to
control the flood and irrigate the land according to
their needs as compared to the old system.
4. CONCLUSIONS
In the present study, surface runoff potential was
assessed for irrigation in the rod-kohi region of D.I.
Khan using GIS and RS techniques. The Remote
sensing and GIS techniques coupled with ground
information proved helpful in identifying potential
sites for rainwater harvesting and developing flood
management strategies for the difficult to access
hill-torrent region. The Rod kohi area in D.I. Khan
has vast potential for agriculture development due
to the presence of abundant water which remains
unutilized and goes unused into the Indus river.
Surface runoff potential of about 154 MCM
was estimated in the 533 catchments, which can
be utilized for irrigation use through adopting
conservation measures like construction of small/
mini dams, ponds, storage tanks, and establishment
of a network of diversion and dispersion structures.
For water harvesting interventions, 26 sites were
finally selected over plain to gentle slopes of
the unused land below 300 m elevation. Water
 Assessment of Runoff Water Harvesting Potential Using Geo-Spatial Techniques 9
conservation through the construction of series
of small and mini dams may be adopted on some
torrents to store excess water then release it as small
perennial flows throughout the year. This will not
only minimize the flood damages but also ensure
regular irrigation supplies in the area. An integrated
floodwater management approach encompassing
containment of environmental degradation,
institutional strengthening, and capacity building
of the local's inefficient water use will have to be
adopted for the effective development of this region
in the future.
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