Application of FLaIR model for early warning system in Chibo Pashyor, Kalimpong, India for rainfall-induced landslides

Abstract

The development of an early warning system for landslides due to rainfall has become an indispensable part for landslide risk mitigation. This paper explains the application of the hydrological FLaIR (Forecasting of Landslides Induced by Rainfall) model, correlating rainfall amount and landslide events. The FLaIR model comprises of two modules: RL (Rainfall-Landslide) which correlates rainfall and landslide occurrence and RF (Rainfall-Forecasting) which allows simulation of future rainfall events. The model can predetermine landslides based on identification of mobility function Y(.) which links actual rainfall and incidence of landslide occurrence. The critical value of mobility function was analyzed using 1 st July 2015 event and applying it to 2016 monsoon to validate the results. These rainfall thresholds presented can be improved with intense hourly rainfall and landslide inventory data. This paper describes the details of the model and its performance for the study area.