Landslide Hazard Zonation (LHZ) Mapping of the Doon Valley using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

Abstract

Abstract The occurrence of landslides is a cataclysmic natural hazard that mainly occurs in hilly areas due to factors like earthquakes, cloud burst, extreme rainfall, human pressure, etc. which causes loss of biodiversity, property, and life. Effective and comprehensive landslide risk management is crucial for landslide susceptibility. Utilizing remote sensing and GIS techniques, this work focuses on Landslide Hazard Zonation mapping in the Doon Valley. The SRTM DEM data at 30m resolution and Sentinel-2B data at 10m resolution have been used to perform the remote sensing and GIS operations in Arc GIS Software. Thematic layers such as LULC, Slope, Geology, Soil Type, Elevation, Drainage Density, Vegetation, and Aspect were produced utilizing remote sensing and GIS data. The Weighted Overlay, a multi-criteria analysis method, was applied to assign attribute values to each thematic layer based on their importance, which was then combined to calculate the Landslide Hazard Zone. The findings of this study demonstrate that landslides are more likely to occur near and above the Main Boundary Fault / Thrust. The High to Very High Hazard Zone covers 16.64% of the total area, making landslides occurring more frequently. Additionally, the study found that the Doon Valley rivers' upper segments are more susceptible to landslides than their lower segments. By integrating Remote Sensing and GIS techniques, it is possible to obtain extensive knowledge of regions prone to landslides. This information will be helpful for decision-makers and planners to reduce the impact of landslides in the near future.