Landslide prediction and field monitoring for Darjeeling Himalayas: A case study from Kalimpong

Abstract

Landslide hazards in hilly areas are causing destructions to properties and lives all around the globe. Increasing population demands for the urbanization of mountainous areas which in turn escalates the risk associated with landslides. In India, the Himalayan belt is highly susceptible to landslides and contributes a major share of the total landslides across the world every year. Rainfall is identified as the major triggering factor of landslides in Indian Himalayas, and this chapter summarizes the case study conducted to establish an early warning system for Kalimpong town, in the Darjeeling Himalayas of India. Different approaches in defining rainfall thresholds were followed and real time field monitoring has been carried out using Micro Electro Mechanical (MEMS) tilt sensors and volumetric water content sensors. The study proves that the rainfall thresholds can be used as a first line action for issuing early warning to the public and its performance can be improved by using real time monitoring data. © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.