A multi-temporal landslide inventory and hazard zonation using relative effect method along the Mughal road Shopian, India

Abstract

Landslide inventory and thematic data are of utmost importance in the domain of landslide hazard mapping. The union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India surrounded by the Himalayan and the Pir-Panjal mountain range is prone to landslides and has already caused havoc at many places. The present study aims to provide the landslide inventory of the Mughal Road, Shopian, which lies in the Pir Panjal range of Kashmir valley. Multidate satellite data of the years 2008 to 2020 are utilized to create an inventory of landslides in this area.The use of high-resolution satellite imagery made it possible to delineate the shallow as well as the deep landslides along the roadside where they occur frequently. To understand the landslide causes, a statistical technique, relative effect method has been implemented in this study. This method helped in mapping the hazard zone areas. The relative effect of each causative factor on landslides is determined by calculating the ratio of coverage and slide which were analyzed in GIS environment. The resulting landslide hazard zone map has been classified as very low, low, moderate, high and very high zones. Out of the total area, 12.62% is critical to landslides, 21.45% is highly prone and 24.84% is moderately prone while 21.94% is low and 19.13% is very low prone to landslides. The outcome of this susceptibility modeling will be beneficial for handling and monitoring the forthcoming landslides as well as the fortification of the general public and environmental hazards of the study area. It will also help the planners in the development around the study area.