An Integrated Spatial Assessment Framework for Evaluating Flash Flood Hazard Potential in EL-Negila Coastal Area, Marsa Matruh Governorate, Western Desert, Egypt

Abstract

The sustainable geo-environmental management of Egypt's El-Negila coastal region within the Marsa Matruh Governorate faces significant challenges, including the deterioration of natural resources driven by climate variability and flash flood occurrences. This research employs a multi-geospatial approach integrating satellite remote sensing data and GIS methodologies to map, monitor, and
evaluate these environmental changes and associated hazards. Flash flood prediction maps were generated based on multiple factors encompassing topographic, meteorological, geological, and local conditions. A 30 m resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM). This DEM served as the basis for extracting various topographic features, including elevation, slope, watershed characteristics (drainage 
density), and Topographic Wetness Index (TWI) within the GIS environment. LULC, NDVI, and road network data were derived from Sentinel-2 imagery acquired in 2025. Flash flood hazard evaluation utilized the multi-criteria Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) incorporating controlling parameters such as elevation, slope, watershed attributes (stream proximity and drainage density), LULC,
normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), road network proximity, topographic wetness index (TWI), lithological composition, and precipitation patterns. The resulting hazard zonation classified the region into three risk categories high, moderate, and low representing 33.78%, 63.06%, and 3.15% of the total area, respectively. The flood hazard map indicates that the most vulnerable zones are concentrated in the northern and eastern sectors, encompassing the tourism village, El-Negila town, and Marsa Matruh city. The mitigation strategies and management recommendations proposed in this investigation offer a practical framework for sustainable development planning in the region.