Government of Nepal

Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport

Department of Roads
Project Directorate (ADB)
Bishalnagar, Kathmandu, Nepal

SASEC Road Improvement Project (SRIP)

[ADB Loan No.: 3478-NEP]
Narayanghat – Butwal Road Project
[Contract No. SRIP/IC/NB/01 & 02]

SITE ASSESSMENT OF CRITICAL SLOPE AT

DAUNNE (Ch. 67+350 to Ch. 67+450)

Submitted by:

Korea Engineering Consultants Ltd. Corp. & Kyong Dong Engineering Co. Ltd. JV
Seoul, Korea

in association with

Meh Consultants (P.) Ltd., Multi-Disciplinary Consultants (P.) Ltd. & Soil Test (P.) Ltd.

APRIL 2023
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 2

2. Scope of the report .............................................................................................................................. 2

3. Location of Daunne Landslide ........................................................................................................... 2

4. Engineering geological conditions ..................................................................................................... 2

4.1. Landslide zone .............................................................................................................................. 3

5. Proposed investigation at Daunne ..................................................................................................... 6

6. Geophysical survey ............................................................................................................................. 6

7. Recommendations ............................................................................................................................... 9

7.1. Immediate Action and Temporary Traffic rules ........................................................................ 10

Uphill side cutting as per design before the monsoon for widening the road. .................... 10

Road Safety during the Monsoon: Action in plan ............................................................... 12

7.2. Permanent (after the monsoon) ................................................................................................... 14

8. Cost Estimation for the Proposed Investigation............................................................................. 15

9. Recommendation for Additional Expert - Senior Geologist ........................................................ 16

APPENDIX ................................................................................................................................................ 17

June 2021 Collapse Photo

Aug 2022 Collapse Photo

April 2023 Photo ( At the time of Site Assessment)

1. Introduction
This report was prepared based on the review of the existing literature and making several site visits along
the Daunne section of the Narayanghat-Butwal Road Project. There are a number of areas requiring from
minor to major stabilisation activities on the uphill as well as downhill sections of the road. Some of the
sections are critical as they have past history of landsliding and failures with the record of multiple collapses,
road blockages, and even losses of houses. One of such sections is the Daunne landslide. A short description
of the landslide, its history, and recommended measures are given below.

2. Scope of the report

This report highlights the vulnerable site of Daunne (Ch. 67+350 to Ch. 67+450), which is very critical and
needs immediate attention to make it stable and safe for traffic movement with minim disturbance.

3. Location of Daunne Landslide

The critical section of Daunne (Figure 1) lies near the ridge of the Siwalik (or Churiya) Range. Daunne
Bajar (with local shops, hotels, and restaurants) is extending along the outer edge of the road.

Figure 1: Location map of the Daunne area as seen on the satellite image of Google Earth.

4. Engineering geological conditions

The bedrock in the Daunne area is made up of very thick-bedded, coarse- to very coarse-grained ‘pepper-
and-salt’ soft sandstones interbedded with very thick beds of grey to dark grey mudstone. The rock is
moderately to gently dipping due NE. Since the sandstone is rather porous but the mudstone is impervious,

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perched water tables are formed at the sandstone-mudstone interface. Mainly, three joint sets intersect the
rock and they are almost perpendicular to each other, forming oblong to cubic sandstone blocks.

Figure 2: Geological map of the Daunne area showing the landslide site.

4.1. Landslide zone

This highway section is also called the ‘collapse area’. A shallow but long landslide at Daunne occurred in
August 2022. It also swept away a house located at the outer edge of the highway. The historical incidents
in this area are as follows.

• In June 2021, the road settled by about 50 cm to 1 m. Subsequently the road was repaired and
restored to its original level.

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 • During August 2022, a major collapse occurred on the downhill slope where a house on the outer
edge was also destroyed by the landslide. But a small portion of the road towards the uphill side
remained intact.
• The landslide caused the road blockage for one day. At this place, the road became single-laned for
some time. As a result, the traffic was severely disturbed along with the massive effect on road
project causing further delay. Later, the rock on the uphill side of the road was excavated and the
road was expanded to its original width.

The landslide history can be assessed from the satellite images of the Daunne area taken at various times
(Figure 3). The images clearly show an intermittently active and shallow but long slide developed on the
soil cover or weathered rock above the resistant bedrock. The slide is shifting laterally as well as expanding
(i.e., extending towards the uphill side).

The main cause of recurrent activation of landslide at least since 2009 is due to poor water management and
addition of surcharge load of buildings at the crown of the landslide. Generally, during the monsoon season,
the ground is saturated with water and excess porewater pressure triggers earth flow and slide. Also, the
flowing water from unprotected streams and the wastewater from settlements have aggravated the situation
by eroding the slopes and increasing infiltration as well as porewater pressure.

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 Landslide Occurrences (Time History Study) at Ch. 67+350 to Ch. 67+450, Daunne over a period of 13 years (2009 to 2023)

2009 2013 2014

2016 2017 2018

2019 2020 2023

Figure 3: Satellite images of the Daunne collapse area taken at various times. Source: Google Earth

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5. Proposed investigation at Daunne
The following investigations are very critical to determine the soil and rock properties of the underlying
strata and also to confirm the bedrock level.

• Geological Landslide Mapping of the area.

• Geophysical investigation along and across the slope.
• Borehole drilling in the crest of the slope and installation of a piezometers (50 m deep) to monitor
water level throughout this monsoon.
• Borehole drilling around the mid-slope of the failure, also installation of a piezometer (45 m deep)
to monitor water level throughout this monsoon.
• Borehole drilling at the toe of the landslide, also installation of a piezometer (40 m deep) to monitor
water level throughout this monsoon.
• Excavation of three test pits at the toe.
• Laboratory testing of the samples collected from boreholes and also from various areas.

6. Geophysical survey
A preliminarily geophysical investigation was undertaken along and across the slope. The resistivity
values (Israil et al. 2022) indicate that the bedrock is very close to the surface and it lies at a depth of
less than a few metres (Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7). However, this has to be confirmed by borehole drilling.

• Please refer to the attached ERT report.

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Figure 4: Location of ERT survey lines at the Daunne landslide

Figure 5: Electrical Resistivity Tomogram of ERT – 2 shown in Figure 4

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Figure 6: Electrical Resistivity Tomogram of ERT – 3 shown in Figure 4

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Figure 7: Electrical Resistivity Tomogram of ERT – 4 shown in Figure 4

7. Recommendations
The recommendations are based on field survey, and past history study. While the permanent downhill
retention is not achievable before this monsoon, it is suggested to take some immediate action for the uphill
cutting as well as follow certain temporary actions.

The recommendations are based on the following strategies :

Risk Reduction

• Slope stabilisation and protection works

• Proper drainage
• Bio-engineering
Risk Retention

• Monitoring the traffic as well as unstable slope

• Warning signs to be displayed at an appropriate distance from the critical section
• Proper drainage management
• Application of bio-engineering measures
Risk avoidance

• Pre-monsoon warning to the public tentative start date.

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 • Temporary resettlement and evacuation from the landslide prone areas
• Temporarily close one lane during the monsoon

7.1. Immediate Action and Temporary Traffic rules

As long-term planning is only possible after this monsoon as the site investigation and monitoring works
will be ongoing during the monsoon. However, severe consequences of landslides may be avoided by
following the immediate protocols such as:

• Uphill side cutting as per design before the monsoon for widening the road ( Immediate Action)
• Road Safety during the Monsoon: Action in plan (Temporary Traffic rules)

Uphill side cutting as per design before the monsoon for widening the road.

• During the cutting in progress, the activity has to be monitored and shall be progressive in
nature so that the minimal disturbances are caused to the top of the slope.
• The rockfall hazard safety shall be assessed before the cutting activity starts.
• Retaining structures as per design shall be constructed immediately.
• Cover the open slope and use combination of geotextile and bio-engineering to control erosion
on these slopes.
• A tension crack is identified at the uphill side. Tension crack sealing is suggested and can be
undertaken immediately.

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 Road Safety during the Monsoon: Action in plan
Some of the temporary traffic road safety protocols listed below can be adopted to prevent additional
loadings and minimum disturbances to the unstable road section.

Temporary Traffic Road Safety Plan against probable landslide during this monsoon
(June 2023 - July 2023)
Temporary Permissions/
Action Appropriate signs
Traffic plan Stakeholders
1 Hazards Warning ~Warning Seek permissions
Signs. signs to be and inform related
Hazard signs displayed at authorities,
must be displayed appropriate stakeholders in
on the roads. distance from advance.
Possibly make the critical
announcements via section.
newspaper and
radios.

2 Temporary lane Temporary Permission from

close closure of lane related
One lane closure on the downhill stakeholders.
during the side for for this closure
monsoon. minimum shall be obtained
The closures can disturbances on at earliest.
take place during the existing
the minimum weak section of
traffic hours. this road.
~Tentative
start date of
lane closure
shall be
decided at
earliest.

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 Temporary Traffic Road Safety Plan against probable landslide during this monsoon
(June 2023 - July 2023)
Temporary Permissions/
Action Appropriate signs
Traffic plan Stakeholders
4. Speed Control Signs stating Permission from
Speed of under the speed limit the related
25km/hr for any for the affected authorities and
vehicles passing sections should stakeholders shall
this area strictly to be installed. be obtained at
be followed earliest.
especially during
this temporary
lane closure hours.

5 Restrict the flow An attempt to Collaboration with

of heavy vehicles restrict on the local traffic
during predicted heavy load authority to limit
duration of highest carrying the flow of traffic.
rainfall intensity, if vehicles, if
possible possible.
Initiate
discussion with
the authority in
this matter, if
feasible.

6 Weight limit of Checking of Collaboration with

the goods carried the vehicles the local traffic
by the vehicles till before entry in along with the
permanent solution the affected radio stations to
is determined. sections generate
through check awareness among
posts. users.
Managing the
types of vehicles Checking the Informing the
entering in the entry of the concerned
affected zone. multi-axle authorities and
vehicles via collaboration with
traffic check the local traffic
posts way along with the
before the radio stations to
inform the users.

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 Temporary Traffic Road Safety Plan against probable landslide during this monsoon
(June 2023 - July 2023)
Temporary Permissions/
Action Appropriate signs
Traffic plan Stakeholders
affected
section.

7 No overtaking Warning sign Collaboration with

signs is suggested regarding the the local traffic
to be installed. overtaking office for the
should be implementation of
installed and a mentioned plan.
traffic officer
to manage the
vehicles should
be stationed.

7.2. Permanent (after the monsoon)

• After the geotechnical investigation, design a retaining structure as per soil and rock conditions and
drainage on the downslope.
• Tentatively check dams targeting the local failures below the roadside at staged and benched profile
is suggested, after analysis of geotechnical investigation and water flow study results.
• Placement of drainage network to drain the saturated area, possibly horizontal drains, after
piezometer data collection and establishing flow network, after analysis of geotechnical
investigation and water flow study results.
• As per design, after analysis of geotechnical investigation.
• Since the road-side slope at Daunne section is unstable, bio-engineering may be implemented only
after stabilizing the slope and addressing any deeper-seated problems.
• The cost estimation to undertake the investigation works at this site are given in the section 8
below:

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8. Cost Estimation for the Proposed Investigation

Total Amount
Description Of Work Unit Estimated Qty. Rate (NRs)
(NRs)
Mobilization
Mobilization/Demobilization of Machine to / from the site to KTM No. 2 50,000.00 100,000.00
Shifting & Setting ( manual carrying of the drilling machines from 1 location to another) No. 1 5,000.00 5,000.00
Topographical Survey (1 sqkm)
Regional Topographical Survey support shall be from contractors
~ Scale 1:10,000 surveyor and already existing
~ Contour Interval approx. 5 m. survey control points
~ Confirms project boundary.
¬ DGPS
Geological Survey and Detailed Landslide Mapping
Geological Reconnaissance / Regional Geological Survey/ Bedrock Mapping
~Scale 1:250,000 and 1:10,000
~Mapping of geological structures, geological rock types
Detailed topographic survey with geological observation points marked on the ground
~Scale 1:500
~Covering about 1 sq.km
Lump Sum Cost 350,000.00
~ About 10-20 separate spots.
Standard Landslide Mapping
~slide boundary, cracks, crown, springs,seepage zones e.t.c …..
~ Senior Geologist Expert
~ Junior Geologist
~ Reporting
Drilling
Bore hole Drilling at site
~ Tentatively 2 holes upto 30m. i.e. 40 X 2 = 80m drilling.
~ Core Logging by geologist Mtrs 95 10,000.00 950,000.00
Installation of Piezometer and concrete monument for daily recording of data for next 6 months
~ slotted PVC in two boreholes of total 40 X 2 = 80m.
~ Core Logging by geologist
~ Daily obeservation by technician and recording water level. Lump Sum Cost 200,000.00
Insitu Permeability Test No 4 2500
Conducting SPT/CPT Test 1.5 Interval No 65 500 32,500.00
Retreiving UDS Sample in cohesive Strata , possibly every metre for soft strata Nos 10 800 8,000.00
Requisite Laboratory Test(Per Borehole) 15 3,000 45,000.00
as per change in strata along the depth of the borehole set
Natural Moisture Content -
Bulk Density
Hydrometer
Specific Gravity
Direct Shear
Unconfined compression
Consolidation
Atterberg Limit etc.
Sieve Analysis
Lab Permeability (Falling head/ Constant head , as per sample type) 4 6000 24,000.00
Triaxial Test, ( if applicable / as per sample type) 2 50,000 100,000.00
Trial Pits and Soil sampling (2m X 2m X 3m)
~ Soil Sampling will be done by a geologist by following sampling protocol to meet criteria of
samples required for testings unit 3 15,000.00 45,000.00
Total 1,859,500.00
Add 13% VAT 241,735.00
Grand Total (with VAT) 2,101,235.00
~ These are estimated quantity . The actual cost will be applicable on pro-rata basis, meaning cost is applied only for the the test
undertaken and /or actual drill depth.
~ This is effective method of costing, as the exact number of test shall done as per approval from the client.

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9. Recommendation for Additional Expert - Senior Geologist
It is critical to carry out detailed landslide mapping and geological survey at various such locations at
Daunne, given the criticality of the sites and its impact along the Narayanghat - Butwal road section. The
works of geologist cannot be substituted by geotechnical expserts.

Geological works are critical and has not taken place for the sites along Daunne. Maps should include
bedding and joint measurements, mapping tension cracks, soils, scarps, and other landslide features are
crucial for correct remediation of the slope protection works. The joint data should be analysed using a
stereo net by carrying out a kinematic analysis so that the overall stability analysis can be substantiated to
detect the right failure types in this section. It is critical to appoint an experienced geologist for analysis and
site visits for this Daunne road section in this Narayanghat Butwal Road Project.

After the site assessment, the appointment of geologist as below is recommended.

Expert Input Time

Senior Geologist Total input of 2 months (intermittent)

References

Howell, J., 2002. Roadside Bio-engineering Site Handbook, Department of Roads.

Israil M., Ansari R. R., Zubair M., Yogeshwar P., Tezkan B., 2022. Near surface resistivity structure
estimated from time domain electromagnetic data recorded along a profile in HFT Zone in Mohand area,
Uttarakhand, India

Guide to Road Slope Protection Works, 2003, Department of Roads.

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APPENDIX

June 2021 Collapse Photos

Aug 2022 Collapse Photos

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April 2023 ( Uphill - tension crack At the time of Site Assessment)

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April 2023 ( Downhill - At the time of Site Assessment)

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