The analysis of landslide vulnerability level distribution in the Labuhanbatu Utara Regency, North Sumatera Province, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract Forest degradation can increase the level of disaster risk, particularly landslides. The impact of landslides, especially in Labuhanbatu Utara Regency, North Sumatera Province, socio-economic, physical and environmental losses that are directly perceived by the community in the disaster site. The study objective was to analyze the distribution of landslide vulnerability levels in the Labuhanbatu Utara Regency. The spatial distribution of landslide vulnerability level used spatial modeling with the Storie Index method with four variables, including rainfall, slope, soil type, and land cover type. The spatial distribution of landslide vulnerability level was mostly at a very low – low level with a percentage of 57.6% of the area of Labuhanbatu Utara Regency. Areas that occupied high – very high of landslide vulnerability level with the largest area were in three districts, including Na IX-X, Aek Natas, and Kualuh Selatan. Landslide prone areas are generally located on plantation and agricultural land use and also distribute on steep slopes. Various parties need to reorganize community activities in areas of high – very high landslide vulnerability to reduce disaster risk.