GIS-BASED LANDSLIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY MAPPING OF MUZAFFARABAD

Abstract

In this study, landslide susceptibility map has been prepared to identify the areas which are prone to landslides under specific weather and climate conditions. Pre-event identification of such areas can help to take preventive/remedial measures to reduce the effects and the resultant damages. Natural disasters are the common phenomenon on the surface of the earth. Some of these are so intense that they cause huge loss to human and infrastructure. These disasters cannot be prevented to happen, but measures can be taken to minimize their effects. Landslides are also common disasters that are harmful for humans and their property as well. Area along the Neelum River in district Muzaffarabad is selected to identify landslide susceptible areas. Naturally, topography of the area is hilly. The area received heavy precipitation in the form of rain and snowfall. It causes the downward movement of water from mountain tops and cause land sliding in the study area. Some other factors e.g. slope, elevation, LULC, soil, stream network, geology and aspect are also considered in preparing landslide susceptible map. Analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and weighted linear combination (WLC) methods were used to achieve the objectives of the study. Factor weights were calculated using AHP and standardized ranks were computed for each factor class using WLC. It is