LANDSLIDE 

STUDIES BY GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA AND GSI'S ROLE IN DISASTER

MANAGEMENT IN KARNATAKA STATE

K. V. Maruthi
Director
Geological Survey of India
Bangalore

Introduction: Protection of life and properties from landslide disaster is indispensable in creating a
safe environment for the society. The national imperative towards safety due to landslide initiation
is increasing in view of the higher rate of human settlement in the mountain slope across the
country. Landslides are significant amongst those hazards that can easily be disastrous to human life
and property. It is estimated that economic loss due to landslides may reach between 1-2% of the
gross national product in many developing countries. Evaluating and mitigating the landslide hazard
and risk is a major challenge for the technocrats and decision makers in the developing world as 80%
of the reported fatalities due to landslide is within the developing countries.

Regional perspective of landslide prone areas of India: In India, the risk to landslides is high
due to ever increasing hill population and growth of hydropower and related infrastructures. Apart
from the above, the 21st Century- India is also at the cross-roads of a steep curve of infrastructure
development that is continuously focused in connecting remote and morphometrically difficult
places by constructing new roads, bridges, railway lines, tunnels, etc. in both the peninsular and the
fragile extra-peninsular regions. Despite our great demand of such development, the growing
constructional activities in these sectors do bring some unavoidable ecological imbalances in our
environment (e.g., landslides and debris flows), which if not mitigated properly, can cause/trigger
various geo-environmental hazards and result in obvious loss of lives and property.

Since it is practically impossible to prevent landslides, therefore, task before the scientist, planner
and administrator lies with the identification of hazard-prone areas and their zonation in different
scales for preparedness and mitigation. The primary contribution of earth-scientists dwells in the
area of evaluating the hazards, whereas, the engineers, planners, public officials and social scientists
are more concerned with evaluation and mitigation of risk. To combat and effectively minimise the
impact of landslide related disaster, need for a rational and objective understanding of the cause
and processes of earth system science is very much necessary.

Landslide studies by GSI

GSI's contribution to landslide studies dates back to 1880 with the study of problem of slope stability
in Nainital, Uttarakhand by Sir R.D. Oldham. In 1890, subsequently, C. S. Middlemiss re-investigated
the Nainital area. In 1893, T. H. Holland investigated Gohana landslide, a massive rock fall that
blocked the river Birahi Ganga at Gohna in Garhwal Himalaya and landslide disaster in Darjeeling
town in 1899. In 1945, with the establishment of specialised Engineering Geology and Ground Water
Division, GSI started undertaking landslide investigations primarily based on the requests from
various stakeholders along with some departmental investigations including R&D. Since 1980, GSI
initiated landslide susceptibility mapping following the prevailing systematic approaches. Between
1980 and 2004, landslide susceptibility studies were carried out, as a part of the regular field season
programmes, using probabilistic and statistical methods. Since 2005, a semi- quantitative heuristic
method indicated in the BIS guidelines and its modified version as proposed by GSI was followed for
landslide susceptibility mapping.

GSI's approach in Landslide Risk Mitigation: GSI’s approach is mainly covers the following;
Pre-Disaster study: Pre-disaster studies mainly includes Landslide susceptibility mapping on different
scales as per the demand of user's agencies and Landslide inventory mapping

Post Disaster study : Post disaster studies includes detailed site specific study of landslide for
identifying causative factors and most suitable remedial measures as well as Landslide monitoring by
instrumentation and threshold modelling for the development of an Early Warning System.

Responsibility of GSI as Nodal Agency : Government of India has declared the Geological Survey of
India as the 'Nodal Agency' on 29 January 2004. Geological Survey of India as a Nodal Agency is
responsible for undertaking and coordinating landslide investigation and formulation of mitigation
measures pertaining to the formulation of strategy/methodology for any type of landslide
investigation in the country, implementation of the proposed action plan on landslide risk mitigation
of MHA and formulation of a landslide hazard and risk mitigation code to be followed by all the
Govt./non govt. and other user agencies

STUDIES CARRIED OUT BY GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF INDIA ON LANDSLIDES IN KARNATAKA

Geological Survey of India, after being recognised as the Nodal Agency for Landslides in India
(declared during 2004), vigorously and swiftly started multipoint approach towards landslide hazard
studies which included site specific Landslide studies, landslide hazard zonation along corridors and
townships and preparation of landslide inventory. There was no prior database of landslides in
Karnataka; Landslide studies were carried out from Scratch. There was not much work carried out in
Landslides in Karnataka till 2004. Landslide as a Disaster and to be tackled scientifically was not
thought of. First serious attempt for landslide studies in Karnataka was carried out in 2005 after
Madikeri Landslide that killed 6 people.

MAJOR CAUSES OF LANDSLIDES IN KARNATAKA: There are number of causes for landslides to occur
the main causes for landslides in Karnataka are

A) GEOLOGICAL CAUSES: Weak or sensitive materials, sheared, jointed or fissured material,

adversely oriented discontinuity (bedding, schistosity, fault, unconformity, contact etc.), contrast in
permeability and or stiffness of materials.

B) MORPHOLOGICAL CAUSES: Fluvial erosion of slope or toe or lateral margins, Deposition loading
of slope or its crest, Vegetation removal (by fire, drought, anthropogenic activity)

C) HUMAN CAUSES: Excavation of slope or its toe, loading of slope or its crest, drawdown (of
reservoir), mining, artificial vibration and water leakage from utilities.

D) THE MAJOR TRIGGER: Water in form of rainfall as Western Ghat receives very high rainfall during
monsoon, toe removal & head loading for road construction, strength reduction of the slope by
constructive activity, vibration in the form vehicular traffic.
 STEPS IN LANDSLIDE MITIGATION APPROCH

1. PREPARATION OF INVENTORY

2. HAZARD ZONATION MAP PREPARATION

3. NATIONAL LANDLSIDE SUSCEPTIBILTY MAPPING PROGRAMME (NLSM SINCE 2014)

4. MESO SCALE LSM (1:10,000 scale) SINCE 2018

5. SITE SPECIFIC INVESTIGATION

6. AWARENESS GENERATION

7. EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS

8. PREVENTIONS AND PRECAUTIONS

Preparation of Inventory: In the initial phase the studies were restricted only to preliminary post
disaster studies and suggesting corrective control or remedial measures. Engineering Geology&
Landslide division, State unit: Karnataka and Goa has been preparing systematically landslide
database in Karnataka from 2007-08 which continued up to 2013-14. Each year landslide inventory
was carried out along the Ghat roads of the Western Ghat along Major National and State highways
covering various districts. The inventory data is collected in the prescribed format; each landslide is
given unique ID and stored in the landslide inventory database.

POST DISASTER STUDIES OF LANDSLIDES IN KARNATAKA: Post disaster studies usually carried out
based on the information received from State authorities, print/electronic media and landslide
events picked up from aerial photo and imageries. Work carried out in post disaster study includes
preliminary investigation and detail study if required. Landslide data is collected in 42 data format
keeping in mindall geo-factor like slope morphometry, lithology & structure, hydrology, drainage,
slope forming material (overburden), anthropogenic activity, triggering mechanism including rainfall
etc., the causative factors and remedial measures short term and long term and necessity of detailed
study requirement is brought out. A detailed Note will be submitted immediately to concerned
district authorities and other stake holders.
Some photographs of Recent Post disaster studies of landslides in Karnataka

Active debris slide Madikeri - Somwarpet road, Makkandur, Kodagu district.

Debris flow at Ganesh Nagara, Belthangadi, Active debris slide along Made road, Kodagu
Dakshina Kannada Dist. District

Bird view of MultipleDebris slides occurred along Photograph showing road breached on SH-
Hirebail-Hemmakki road at Malleshwaragudda, 8( Bisale Ghat)Hassan District due to the
Chikmagalur district. landslide

Bird view of Debris slide at downhill side of the Debris flow at Kedamullur Village (Thora)
house along Hirebail-Hemmakki road at Virajpet, Kodagu responsible for loss of 10 lives
Malleshwaragudda Chikmagalur district.
 HAZARD ZONATION MAP PREPARATION: Other than Inventory Landslide Hazard zonation on
Macro and Meso scale of important road corridors and township has also taken up.Landslide
Hazard Zonation (LHZ) indicates the susceptibility of the defined sample slope units of an area to
landslides in space and time. The spatial distribution of the landslides produces a susceptibility
map which divides all the similar sample units into various classes.In 1998, the BIS published
guidelines for preparation of Landslide Hazard Zonation maps in mountainous terrains (Code No.
IS 14496 (Part 2), 1998) which was later modified by GSI and circulated incorporating the few
factors that were necessary to be included.

GSI has carried out Hazard Zonation mapping in following areas

Town ship

A) Landslide hazard zonation of Madikeri town, Coorg district, Karnataka on mesoscale (1:10,000
scale) during FS 2007-08. Area covered 80 sq. km.

Road corridor

A) Landslide hazard zonation on macro scale of Charmudi ghat section from Charmudi to Kotigehara,
Kotigehara to Kalasa, Sakleshpur to Uppinangadi, Dakshina Kannada and Chickamagalur districts,
Karnataka.( 1;25,000 scale) during FS 2008-10. Area covered 120 LKm / 240 sq km (60 LKm / 120 sq
km in each section)
B) Landslide hazard zonation of Virajpet –Madikeri -Sulya road section Coorg district, Karnataka.
( 1;25,000 scale) during FS 2012-13. Area covered 75 LKm /150 sq km.
C) Landslide hazard zonation of Kumta - Karwar (up to Mundarali village) road corridor, Uttar Kannada
district, Karnataka during FS 2013-14. Area covered 60 LKm / 120 sq km.

SITE SPECIFIC STUDIES: Site specific Landslide investigations include the following Detailed
topographical map of the landslides area, detailed collection of geological, structural,
geomorphological data’s of landslide area, geophysical survey and subsurface exploration, slope
stability study, collection of samples for determination of engineering properties and soil/rock
mechanics, evaluation of causes of landslide and finally recommendation of remedial measures.
Detailed site specific studies on Landslides carried out in Karnataka

A. Detailed site specific study of Biligeri slide, Somwarpet taluk, Coorg district,
Karnataka (1:1000 scale) during FS 2006-07. Area covered 0.1 sq.km.
B. Detailed site specific study of the Neriya landslide, Belthangadi taluk, Dakshina
Kannada district, Karnataka (1:1000 scale) during FS 2009-10. Area covered 0.1
sq.km.
C. Detailed site specific study of Kadwad landslide, Karwar taluk, Uttar Kannada district,
Karnataka (1:1000 scale) during FS 2010-12. Area covered 0.1 sq.km.
D. Detailed site specific study of Sasanwad landslide, Karwar taluk, Uttar Kannada
district, Karnataka (1:1000 scale) during FS 2010-12. Area covered 0.1 sq.km.
National Landslide susceptibility mapping (NLSM)

Geological Survey of India (GSI) has been carrying out landslide susceptibility zonation / mapping on
macro scale (1:50,000 / 25,000) since last 3 to 4 decades. Out of the total available landslide prone
areas in India (~0.42 M Sq. Km), the target achieved so far by GSI (~60,000 Sq. Km) is quite less. This
matter was deliberated in detail at the Regional Workshop on Landslide Disaster Management at
Shillong on 22 – 23 November, 2013 and the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Mines has advised GSI to
complete the remaining targets as early as possible.Finally, this national programme was formally
launched by Shri. Dinsha Patel, Hon’ble Minister of Mines, Government of India on 5 th February,
2014 at the 53rd Central Geological Progrmming Borad Meeting (CGPB), New Delhi.

Objective of NLSM: The main objective of NLSM is to prepare Toposheet wise 1:50000 scale spatial
database for geo-factors of landslides for use as input thematic maps, to prepare landslide inventory
database using high-resolution remote sensing data and field inputs and finally to prepare landslide
susceptibility map using Multi class index overlay method in GIS platform.

NLSM Methodology: In the pre-field stage Preparation of thematic maps and preparation of
landslide inventory (historical data) is carried out. During intense field Work field checking and
validation of pre field maps and collection of landslide data as per 41 point proforma (historical and
new landslides)is done. At the end during post Field Stage updating & Corrections of thematic maps,
preparation of final Landslide Susceptibility and validation of final susceptibility map is done.

Usability of Landslide Susceptibility Map: The NLSM map thus prepared will be beneficial to
Perspective planning for future developmental activities (like construction of new projects, roads
etc) in the classified low susceptibility zones may be preferred; Identification and delineation of
target areas for meso-scale (1:5,000/10,000) or detailed site specific studies. The landslide
susceptibility map when combined with temporal data can be effectively used for assessing the
landslide hazard and risk scenario of the area. N

 Tore, under NLSM programme only spatial prediction of future landslides is

attempted. Temporal and magnitude predictions are not attempted.
NLSM Output: The NLSM output will be a seamless landslide susceptibility map of India on 1:50,000
scale, a detailed historical landslide inventory database and a detailed 1:50,000 scale thematic
geofactor database containing: slope Angle, slope curvature, slope aspect, drainage, land use land
cover, geomorphology, slope forming material, regolith thickness and identification of areas of
detailed study.

Role of community in Disaster management: Any natural hazard becomes disaster when the same
affects the community to an unmanageable extent. Landslide hazard/disaster experienced by a
community may be rare, infrequent, frequent, and recurring events. Similarly the extent of affected
area and damage maybe highly variable for such events.Disaster management in Landslide can be
achieved by understanding the hazard, preventing the hazard, minimising the hazard and tackling
the hazard

The same can be accomplished through active participation and involvement of the
community through the following 1. Awareness 2.Preparedness 3.Participation
Awareness: Awareness may be generated regarding Landslide Susceptibility status map of the
area and providing training on how to read susceptibility, hazard and risk map, Kind of landslide
happened/ probable and element of risks, rainfall amount and landslide initiation process and other
causative factors for landslide initiation in the community may also be taught. Awareness also
includes what are warning signal of the impending landslides, kind of immediate measures which
can be put in place if such sign is detected, safe excavation practice in private land located in slope,
safe building practice & land use zoning in areas of no regulation, proper disposal of the domestic
waste water in slope and safedrainage practice, kind of vegetation good for strengthening the slope.
In case of a disaster whom to approach first (DC at district, block, municipal, village Panchyat level),
nearest community hall/school and public building as shelter during disaster, alternative
communicative route to hospital, police station, contact detail of the Emergency response
operators/ Government agencies/ NGOs/ Disaster managers for evacuation, relief/ shelter all comes
under broad gambit of awareness.

Preparedness: Preparedness includes Building shelter for community during disaster, Ensuring safe
land use practice in slope, alternative approach path to the hospital/ public Utilities, suitable
forestation with appropriate vegetation, arrangement of drainage for waste water and periodic
clearance of drainage system, arrangement of awareness programme for the community and
Pictorial depiction of dos and don’ts in suitable location in respect of: Safe dwelling location, Safe
land use practice, Appropriate vegetation cover, Movement of vehicle and people, Covering of slope
to prevent ingress of water, Excavation practice, Drainage blocking and consequences, use of non –
biodegradable waste.

Participation: Community participation in periodic Awareness programme initiated by Disaster

managers. Involvement in Government/other initiatives in respect of capacity building/safeguarding
forest/ensuring safe land use practice/ slope excavation /construction and maintenance of
drainage/building up communication. Network Rendering assistance in the initiative (if any) for
development of early warning system through local deliverables like taking reading/ maintenance /
protection of instruments (if required)

Roles and Responsibilities

GSI - the nodal agency for landslide studies: The Government of India has declared the Geological
Survey of India as the Nodal Agency on 29 January 2004.Geological Survey of India as a Nodal Agency
is responsible for coordinating and undertaking geological studies for landslide hazard mitigation,
carrying out landslide hazard zonation, monitoring landslides and avalanches and studying the
factors responsible for sliding and suggesting precautionary as well as preventive measure National
Core Group has finalized the action plan for landslide studies with inputs of GSI and other
organization.
Salient Features of Action Plan
I. Finalisaton of uniform methodologies for Landslide Hazard Zonation (LHZ) on macro scales and
meso scales

II. Carrying out Landslide Hazard Zonation of vulnerable areas on macro scales: 10,000 km
communication routes to be covered on macro scales. Identify critical slopes and prioritise areas for
detailed studies. State Governments to suggest routes for this exercise and GSI to carry survey.
Other collaborating agencies are NRSA, SOI, IMD & CWC
III. Carrying out Landslide Hazard Zonation of identified areas on meso scales: To cover inhabited or
sites proposed for infrastructural development.20- 25 sites to be taken up initially, 10 sites to be
taken up by GSI and rest by other agencies. A committee comprising IIT- Roorkee, CBRI, NIRM, CRRI,
CWC, IMD, THDC etc to distribute work to those willing to work in identified areas in time bound
manner

IV. Carrying out monitoring of landslides: Slides that pose danger to communication routes or could
cause blockade of drainages to be monitored continuously.30 slides to be studied initially and GSI
would take up 10 slides. Rest to be taken up by others. A Committee comprising agencies willing to
take up the work in time bound manner like CRRI, CBRI, WIHG, IIT-Roorkee / Kharagpur etc.

V. To evolve an Early Warning System:Need for evolving Early Warning System for landslide has been
long felt. Isolated work has been done by some agencies. This is an area where considerable amount
of research is required. This is due to the fact that several factors, combined or individually, directly
or indirectly, trigger landslides. To have comprehensive predictive model instrumentation based
studies have to be extended to wider areas. A committee comprising CRRI, CBRI, WIHG, IIT-Roorkee /
Kharagpur, CSIO, NCMRWF etc. may be formed for evolving an Early Warning System.

VI. To prepare Inventory/ Database on LHZ:Landslide Inventories are most important for any
prediction model on Early Warning to be successful. GSI has developed a format and circulated it to
States & Agencies like BRO, CPWD etc. for reporting landslide incidences for input towards updating
inventory. GSI has developed and published an inventory of about 1000 landslide incidences from
NW Himalayas, Eastern Himalayas & Northeastern states. The inventory has to be updated regularly
and for this the cooperation from BRO, CPWD, Armed Forces, agencies engaged in infrastructure
development and state departments like Forest, PWD, is required.

VII. Awareness Generation: GSI to develop awareness strategy and to take up awareness
programmes in consultation with State Governments in hazard prone areas. Another responsibility
given to GSI is to arrange a one day workshop with the aim to present GSI's point of view and
interact with State Governments and other agencies active in the field of landslides .Aim is to raise
awareness at various levels through Media Campaigns, Development & distribution of leaflets/
posters, Meetings & Workshops etc

VIII. Coordination: Any agency carrying out Landslide Hazard Mitigation or States engaging agencies
for carrying out LHZ may get approval from GSI with a view to: (a) avoid duplication of work and (b)
ensure that LHZ is carried out as per the prescribed parameters. After completion of work copy of
report may be shared with GSI for record. GSI will report to the National Core Group in MHA through
Joint Secretary & Central Relief Commissioner periodically on the progress made on different items.

In a view of the impact of environment by the anthropogenic activities, the relationship

between rainfall and geology for landslide to occur and for suggesting low risk hazard free areas for
future developmental activities the studies on landslide will be of very important societal issue.
Geological Survey of India will continue its studies on landslides in India to cater this need.