A new approach for Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (LSM) in parts of Northwest Himalaya

Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (LSM) demarcates the zones with varying degree of severity of the hazard. The approaches for the LSM have not been standardized in spite of several approaches attempted world over. In the present attempt an approach has been evolved for demarcating zones susceptible to landslide hazard with an estimated failure possibility. The parameters used for the study include - slope forming material, structure, slope, landslide inventory and landuse. Based on the analysis of these interacting parameters, failure probability is computed and slopes with more than 50% value categorized as High landslide susceptible zones and between 50% and 20% as Moderate and less than 20% as Low landslide susceptible zone. The criteria, thus evolved has been extrapolated in parts of northwest sector of Himalaya covering about 300 sq.km on 1:50,000 scale. Such a map could be utilized as first generation engineering geological map for planning developmental activities.