Landslide Susceptibility Mapping using Geospatial framework -A Study of Pinder Basin, Chamoli District, Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

The study of the landslides in the Himalayan catchment is crucial due to adverse climatic conditions, increasing anthropogenic activities, and infrastructure management. The Pinder valley falls under Uttarakhand's seismic zone (IV & V). There are many proposed and operational hydropower stations across the catchment, which is increasing the risk of landslides. The widespread digging and tunnelling in the mountain scape make the area vulnerable. As per the Geological Survey of India, villages around Pinder witness many landslides every year. Due to such hydropower projects, landslides have increased (Matu Jansangthan et al., 2016). There are various techniques to study landslides here in this work, a GIS-based spatial multicriteria method and statistical model used to create the Landslide hazard zonation Map (LZM) for the Pinder Basin. This paper considered nine causative elements: slope angle, slope aspect rainfall, lithology, land use land cover and fault, lineament, road, and stream buffer. In this research, considering the historical landslide inventory of Geological survey of India, it is investigated that 20% of the area (GIS-based AHP model) is highly vulnerable and susceptible to landslides. The frequency ratio (Statistical Model) shows around 32% of the area is susceptible to high landslides, which are majorly observed nearer to the mainstream. Studying landslides is essential for stakeholders, policymakers, the landslide hazard zonation map are influential, proactive decision-making tools that prevent economic losses and property damage. Utilizing such models can enhance their resilience and longevity. It also plays a vital role in ecological restoration, sustainable land management, and planning.