Landslide Early Warning System in Kalimpong, West Bengal

Abstract

Landslides can be triggered either by rainfall or earthquake which have been intensified by the increase in human activities. Majority of the landslides in Indian Himalayas are initiated by heavy monsoonal precipitation. Several attempts have been made to determine the relationship between precipitation and landslide occurrences using various empirical or statistical methods. However, a comprehensive study on the relationship using an effective monitoring system is yet to be conducted. The present work analyses the results obtained from a reliable and robust monitoring system and analyse its applicability. The monitoring system consists of Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) tilt sensor and volumetric water content sensor. The MEMS-based sensor determines the tilting angle which is places at shallow depths. The change in the tilting angle reflects to the lateral displacement at the surface. Thus, the amount of tilting angle which exceeds critical value would reflect various stages of slope failure. The results obtained from the monitoring system would help in setting up a warning system and eventually save human lives. © 2022, Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.