Natural hazards in a changing climate in Norway

Abstract

In several countries, including Norway, critical transport infrastructure is exposed to natural hazards such as floods, avalanches and landslides. Recent experiences show that these natural hazards have become more frequent primarily due to extreme weather events. These natural hazards have constitute a major threat to human life, surrounding manmade facilities and infrastructure and in Norway. Therefore, decision-making and design processes related to road and railroad construction in Norway rely heavily on an accurate assessment of these natural hazards. From 1900 to date, more than 1100 people have died in Norway due to natural hazards. About 115,000 people live in areas prone to flooding and landslides. According to the statistics, the accumulated cost of damage inflicted in the period 1980–2000 is around 1 billion Euros, and for the periode 2011–2014 the cost of the damage increased by approximately 750 million Euros. This paper presents some results from the NIFS research program to develop robust approaches to mitigate landslides and minimise the consequences on infrastructure such as roads, railways, housing etc. We present some aspects of real time warning of avalanches, landslides and flooding, application of technology for hazard mapping and early warning, the development of new national databases, and the national strategy for management of natural hazards. It is our belief that some of these technologies and methods adopted for the flood, landslide, and avalanche hazard management are equally applicable for the preparedness and the early warning systems required for landslides in sensitive clays.