Integrating Remote Sensing and GIS for Landslide Hazard Assessment in Hilly Terrain: A Case Study of The Himalayan Region

Abstract

The increasing frequency of landslides in the Himalayan region poses significant threats to life, property, and infrastructure. Accurate assessment of landslide hazard zones is essential for effective disaster management and mitigation planning. This study presents a comprehensive methodology combining remote sensing techniques and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for landslide hazard assessment in a representative hilly terrain of the Indian Himalayas. High-resolution satellite imagery from Sentinel-2 and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data were utilized to extract critical parameters such as slope, aspect, elevation, land use/land cover, and vegetation index. These layers were integrated using a weighted overlay method to generate a landslide susceptibility map. Ground truthing was performed at several sites to validate the model results. The approach enabled identification of high, medium, and low susceptibility zones across the study area. The results indicated that steep slopes, sparse vegetation, and proximity to fault lines were primary contributing factors to landslide occurrence. The proposed model demonstrated a high prediction accuracy with an overall success rate of 85%, highlighting its utility in disaster risk reduction planning.

KEYWORDS: Remote Sensing, Landslide Susceptibility Mapping, GIS, Himalayan Region, Environmental Hazards