Identification of landslide susceptible settlements using geographical information system of Yelwandi river basin, Maharashtra (India)

Abstract

Landslides are one of the critical geological processes, which cause enormous damage to civil engineering structures and also lead to loss of life. The present study is an attempt toward the development of a landslide methodology by using geographical information system (GIS) and remote sensing techniques for landslide susceptibility mapping. This involves the generation of thematic data layers and their spatial analysis within the Yelwandi river basin in Maharashtra, India. A weight rating system for the factors was developed for spatial data analysis in a GIS. The resulting landslide susceptibility map divides the area into different zones of four relative susceptibility classes: high, moderate, low and very low. The susceptibility map was correlated by field observations. The 67 settlements present in Yelwandi river basin area were classified according to severity of landslide. It also gives guidelines for feature activities of planning.