Abstract
Landslide is a major concern in Bangladesh. The Hill Tracts of Bangladesh are highly vulnerable to rain-cut erosion because of their geological formation, soil characteristics (sedimentary) and deforestation. The cracks in the sandstone allow water to permeate through the layers which causes decrease in shear strength of hill soils leading to landslides. Eroded soil causes clogging in drains and canals in nearby urban areas. Subsequently, in a view to investigate the erosion potential of hill slopes, soil samples were collected from Chittagong and Rangamati hills. The soil is mostly silty or clayey sand which is susceptible to erosion. In this context, bio-engineering technique using vetiver has been selected to reduce erosion potential and water-logging. Efficacy of vetiver in soil erosion has been studied using a model for vegetated slope constructed with hill soil. Performance of slope against rain-cut erosion has been premeditated under uniform artificial rainfall for both bare and vegetated slopes. The sediment yield for bare soil is found to be 47.8 kg/m2 which is almost four times higher compared to the sediment yield for rooted slope (11.6 kg/m2). Therefore, vetiver is effective in reducing erosion, which eventually decreases landslide vulnerability and water-logging in the nearby city areas.
Highlights
Landslide is one of the most significant natural disasters in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh [1]
Rapid urbanization and human development activities such as building and road construction through deforestation and excavation of hill slopes have increased landslides in densely populated cities located in mountainous areas [2]
One of the main reasons for water-logging is clogging of the drains and canals which is mainly caused by eroded soil load from the nearby hills
Summary
Landslide is one of the most significant natural disasters in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh [1]. Heavy rainfall makes uncovered slope prone to erosion [3]. Water-logging in Chittagong city is a great concern. One of the main reasons for water-logging is clogging of the drains and canals which is mainly caused by eroded soil load from the nearby hills. The hill areas are underlain by tertiary and quaternary sediments that have been folded, faulted and uplifted, deeply dissected by rivers and streams. These areas consist of thick sandstones, shale and siltstone which have less stability. The bedrock and soil structure of these hills become unstable and highly prone to erosion
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