Landslide hazard and vulnerability in Gambhar river catchment

Abstract

The present research work is an investigation of landslides in the natural settings of the Gambhar River catchment. The catchment is situated in lower Himalayan and Siwaliks ranges and its catchment area lies in three districts i.e. Bilaspur, Shimla and Solan districts of Himachal Pradesh. Increasing landslide events in the natural surroundings are a matter of concern as it brings life to a complete halt for the locals and causes casualties every year. Thus, the present study is trying to study and analyse the distinctive landslide characteristics and to demarcate the landslide susceptible sites. The objectives of the study include: the identification of landslide hotspots at the regional and local level using geospatial technology, analysis of the physical and anthropogenic elements affecting the slope stability, finding susceptible zones, and performing vulnerability and risk assessment. Many statistical approaches have been followed in the analysis along with field surveys to get maximum accuracy in the results. The findings of the analysis state that several landslide incidents are occurring in and around urban areas. Increasing trends of anthropogenic activities in the weak physical environment, such as infrastructural development activities on fragile slopes, is one of the main reasons behind the increasing events of landslides in the study area. Moreover, it has also been found that a considerable area is falling between the very high to moderate landslide susceptibility class and putting the lives of people of the study area under threat. The vulnerability and risk assessment also shows a similar trend as the most developed tehsils with a reasonable size population are more vulnerable and are at higher risk newline