Geospatial Analysis of Landslide and Assessing its Risk Along the Swat Motorway, Pakistan

Abstract

Landslides significantly threaten infrastructure and human lives, highlighting the need for effective landslide susceptibility mapping. This research focuses on creating a map showing landslide susceptibility along the Swat Motorway using Remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) methods. The objective is to assess the spatial distribution of landslide-prone areas along the motorway corridor, aiding in informed decision-making for infrastructure development and risk mitigation measures. The study begins by collecting and analyzing relevant geological, geomorphological, and climatic data to identify factors contributing to landslide occurrences. This includes slope gradient, lithology, land cover, rainfall intensity, and land use patterns. Remote sensing data, such as satellite imagery and digital elevation models, are utilized to extract information on land surface characteristics and terrain attributes. GIS-based techniques are employed to integrate and analyze the collected data, employing various spatial analysis tools and algorithms to locate potential landslide locations. The Weighted Overlay Method is applied to assign weights and combine the different factors, generating a landslide susceptibility index. Based on the landslide susceptibility map, this research aims to identify and discuss the areas along the highway that are extremely vulnerable to landslides. After creating a map of the Swat Motorway's landslide susceptibility, numerous zones that are prone to landslides were found. Two of these zones are particularly prone to landslides. The creation of a susceptibility map of landslides provides valuable information for planning land use, management of infrastructure, and hazard mitigation along the Swat Motorway. It identifies high-risk zones prone to landslides, enabling policymakers and engineers to make informed decisions regarding the construction of new roads, slope stabilization, and implementation of early warning systems. The results of this research add knowledge to the already-existing knowledge on susceptibility mapping of landslides, specifically in the context of the Swat Motorway. By utilizing GIS and RS techniques, the study demonstrates an effective and efficient approach for assessing landslide hazards along transportation corridors.