Article Information
GIS-Based Terrain Analysis of Balakot Region after Occurred Landslide Disaster in October 2005

Keywords: Landslide Susceptibility, Terrain Analysis, SRTM Data, Supplementary Models, GIS, Remote Sensing.

Mehran University Research Journal of Engineering & Technology

Volume 30 ,  Issue 4

Abdul  Salam  Soomro,Abdul  Qadeer Khan Rajput,Ismail  Rakip  Karas

Abstract

The landslide susceptibility models require the appropriate and reliable terrain analytical based study of the landslides prone areas using SRTM (Shuttle Radar Topography Mission) data, based on certain GIS (Geographical Information Systems) and remote sensing techniques. This research paper focuses on the analysis of the terrain conditions of Balakot region. The analytical operations have been used in the different phases: (i) Extracting the study area from the large data; (ii) preparing it into grid format; (iii) developing contour lines with certain contour intervals (iv) Re-classification of it into required classes and (v) preparation of digital terrain model with its different required various supplementary models for analyzing the terrain conditions of the study area located in Mansehra district, north part of Pakistan where the great earthquake induced landslide disaster occurred in October 2005. This analytical study has notified the different sensitive issues concerning to the critical slope angles, variation in the elevation and the surface of study area. The various distinctions in the terrain phenomenon validate the occurred and probable landslides because the topography of such study area can predict the various probable landslide hazards, vulnerability and risk threats in the region again. This analytical study can be useful for the decisive authorities by becoming pro-active to rebuild the region to mitigate the expected losses from the natural disaster.