Landslide susceptibility and risk assessment a geospatial analysis of upper Ravi river catchment

Abstract

Landslides represent a pervasive and deleterious natural occurrence within mountainous terrains. Annually, they inflict substantial devastation and turmoil upon mountain communities. Given the multifaceted repercussions, this research endeavours to scrutinize landslide hazards within the Upper Ravi River catchment. The primary objectives encompass discerning landslide spatial patterns, elucidating causative factors, and assessing susceptibility, vulnerability, and risk within the catchment. The study employs an amalgamation of geostatistical methodologies and field investigations to achieve these aims. Spatial and non-spatial data have been methodically amalgamated from diverse sources. The research findings discern two focal points of heightened landslide activity and susceptibility, located in the western and central regions of the study area. Particularly, areas proximate to road networks, watercourses, settlements, and agricultural zones exhibit escalated landslide potential. Furthermore, alongside geophysical factors, anthropogenic influences have been found to be pivotal in augmenting regional landslide susceptibility. Approximately 35% of the total villages surveyed exhibit a moderate to very high susceptibility to landslides. In terms of risk assessment, the study reveals that the vicinity around Chamba town exhibit the highest degree of risk, followed by the Holi Valley and Bharmour Valley. These findings underscore the latent peril faced by mountainous landscapes and their local ecosystems. Consequently, the insights garnered from this research hold the potential to assist governmental entities in implementing effective measures for the mitigation and amelioration of the impacts stemming from such catastrophic events. newline