ly of Thailand: 
Digest, Vol. IV, 
along moate and 
Vol. 3, p. 12-38 
Symposium on Remote Sensing for Resources Development and Environmental Management / Enschede / August 1986 
Application of physiographic photo interpretation technique to 
analyse the enigmatic drainage problem of the Hyderabad 
Metropolitan Region, Pakistan 
restrospect: An 
Chicago, Rand- 
85 , Place names 
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First Symposium 
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5 system. Non 
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o Phraya Ruang: 
~iod. Presented 
urn of Kamphaeng 
nd, 3 3 page s 
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, Thailand: The 
>rmer shorelines, 
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~ earthworks in 
iquity , Vol. 24, 
M.N.Syal 
Soil Survey of Pakistan, Lahore 
I.E.Schneider 
EMPLASA, Sao Paulo, Brazil 
ABSTRACT: The Hyderabad Metropolitan Region is represented by flat Rocky Plateaus, Flood Plains and Piedmont 
Plans situated along the Indus River. Under natural conditions, the region has quite suitable physical environments 
for urban expansion and for maintenance of existing civic infrastructure. But as a result of population implosion 
and lack of proper urban planning, the region's natural drainage has been subjected to progressive deterioration in 
the past. The present situation has become quite alarming, but the development strategies are not yet attuned 
according to the natural lay of land. Apparently, the drainage conditions have become enigmatic for the 
planners. In order to give a scientific solution for the drainage problem, the physiographic technique of aerial 
photograhic interpretation was employed. Causes of drainage deterioration were correlated with physiographic 
processes. The rate of deterioration was qualitatively determined by comparing the interpretation results of two 
sets of aerial photographs taken with a time interval of 23 years. It was observed that the spatial growth and the 
degree of deterioration could precisely be attributed to the technically fragile physiographic positions. This 
experience was used to predict the behaviour of similar site conditions observed elsewhere in the region. 
1 INTRODUCTION 
This study represents a practical application of physio 
graphic aerial photo interpretation technique to deter 
mine clues for soil drainage deterioration in the 
Hyderabad Metropolitan Region, for which a compre 
hensive Master Plan is under preparation (PEPAC, 1986). 
It was carried out to assist the Hyderabad Development 
Authority, the planning and execution agency for 
the region. The objective is to highlight the principal 
physical factors affecting drainage conditions. 
The study predicts the behaviour of available areas 
for urban expansion based on the performance of 
similar site and material conditions existing in the 
areas already under use. Further it is aimed at provid 
ing proposals for recovery and optimal utilization of 
affected areas. The contribution of Physical factors 
towards drainage deterioration needs quantitative veri 
fication based on spatial distribution of the problem 
areas. 
The description of the region enumerates its physical 
characteristics employed during the process of physio 
graphic photo interpretation. Most of these were 
studied during Reconnaissance Soil Surveys of the 
adjoining regions (Beg etal., 1970 and Mushtaq Ahmad 
etal., 1971). The magnitude of the present drainage 
conditions was largely drawn from the later studies 
(WAPDA, 1979). 
2 THE REGION 
The region has certain peculiar physical environments 
which, one way or the other, characterize the sequen 
tial deterioration of drainage conditions. The following 
are the relevant components. 
2.1 Spatial setting 
An area of about 100 square kilometers occurring 
along the flanks of the Indus River below Kotri Barrage 
and falling between 68° 15' - 68° 30' E and 25° 15' - 
25° 30' N, represents the Hyderabad Metropolitan 
Region with a population of nearly one million people 
(Government of Pakistan, 1980). 
The region is bounded in the north and east by a 
system of three parallel canals i.e. Lined Channel, 
Pinyari and Fulleli, taking off from the river, upstream 
of the barrage located on the north boundary of the 
region. The southern boundary runs across the Ganjo 
Takkar rock outcrops and the confluence of Baren 
steam and the Indus River. In the west the region's 
boundary roughly demarcates the watershed of western 
rock plains. 
The region includes three well-connected sister 
towns: old Hyderabad city situated at the lest bank 
and Kotri and Jamshoro towns at the right bank of the 
river. It is situated at a distance of about 160 K.M. 
from Karachi, the largest city of Pakistan and has 
good communication linkages with it. The junction of 
two national arterial roads running along either sides 
of the Indus is also located within the region. 
The level parts of the Flood Plan are used for 
intensive agriculture except for the parts which are 
salt-affected. The salt-free areas have a very high 
agricultural value. The saline flats, basins and channel 
remnants are unused and serve as recipient sites for 
runoff and uncontrolled effluent from the adjoining 
areas. The land price of these area is low and hence 
returns high income to the land speculators. The Rock 
outcrops, Rock Plains and Piedmont Aprons are 
generally used for poor grazing. The land price of 
these landscapes is very low because of their location 
being away from the city infrastructure. 
The river attains deltaic character in the region and 
its course has been properly trained by construction 
of earthen embankments on either side. As a result 
of continuous sedimentation by the river on areas 
falling between the embankments, the river course lies 
at a somewhat higher elevation than the adjacent Flood 
Plains. Consequently it appears that the river course 
is located on a sort of extensive ridge. 
2.2 Climate 
The climate of the region is subtropical semi-desert 
type (Ahmad, 1951). It is characterized by low but 
highly erratic rainfall, very dry season for larger 
part of the year and larger diurnal and seasonal 
fluctuation of temperatures. 
The region lies in the rain shadow area. The mean 
annual rainfall is about 130 mm which is mainly 
received during the short rainy season of about 
10 days during July and August. Though the average 
rainfall is low, the region receives high rainfall 
occasionally when 120-250 mm of precipitation may