A spherical fuzzy ELECTRE III-based framework for evaluating flood risk management strategies in vulnerable watersheds

Muhammad Shakir Chohan; Shahzaib Ashraf; Shahida Bano; Laszlo Vasa; Vladimir Simic; Dragan Pamucar

doi:10.5269/bspm.79345

Muhammad Shakir Chohan Department of Mathematics, Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering & Information Technology, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6285-7980
Shahzaib Ashraf Department of Mathematics, Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering & Information Technology, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8616-8829
Shahida Bano Department of Mathematics, Government Graduate College for Women Murree Road, Pakistan https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7542-6149
Laszlo Vasa Faculty of Economics, Széchenyi Istvàn University, Hungary https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3805-0244
Vladimir Simic College of Informatics, Korea University https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5709-3744
Dragan Pamucar Department of Operations Research and Statistics, Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8522-1942

Abstract

Flooding is one of the most widespread and damaging natural hazards worldwide, causing significant economic losses, environmental degradation, and risks to human life, particularly in vulnerable watersheds. The multi-criteria decision-making dilemma of managing flood risks in prone watersheds is associated with conflicting economic, social, and environmental objectives. To assess and rank the flood risk management options, this research suggests a single model that should be developed using a mix of the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process and ELECTRE III approaches. The fuzzy analytic hierarchy process is used to capture the uncertainty and subjectivity of the pairwise comparison of decision-makers. Alternative management strategies are ranked using the ELECTRE III technique. The suggested approach is applied to an empirically vulnerable watershed, demonstrating its viability. The suggested fuzzy framework aids decision-makers in selecting the best course of action even before a flood occurs. Watershed managers can use the findings as a scientifically validated tool for resource allocation in flood risk reduction, as they provide a clear and sound hierarchy of strategies that include both structural and non-structural measures.

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