Presenting the Results of Algorithm-Based Rainfall Thresholds for Landslide Initiation Across Different Regions of Nepal

Authors

  • Sabin Bhattarai International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Lalitpur, Nepal Author https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3059-6581
  • Ranjan Kumar Dahal Central Department of Geology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal Author
  • Ananta Man Singh Pradhan Water Resources Research and Development Centre, Government of Nepal, Lalitpur, Nepal Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64862/

Keywords:

Landslides, Landslide early warning system, Rainfall thresholds, Disaster Risk Reduction

Abstract

Landslides are a major hazard in Nepal, driven by steep terrain, fragile geology, and intense monsoon rainfall. This study establishes region-specific rainfall thresholds for landslide initiation using satellite-based GPM IMERG data and ground-based DHM rain gauge observations, applying the CTRL-T algorithm for reproducibility. Hourly and daily rainfall-landslide datasets were analysed for Bagmati and Karnali provinces, while thresholds for highly affected districts in Koshi, Gandaki, Lumbini, and Sudurpashchim were derived from gauge data. Results reveal significant spatial variability, with lower thresholds in Bagmati and Karnali and higher thresholds in Jajarkot and Taplejung. Rain gauge-based thresholds were slightly higher than satellite-derived ones, while satellite products showed lower uncertainty but tended to underestimate extreme rainfall. Findings highlight the need for consistent data sources and localized thresholds to improve Landslide Early Warning Systems (LEWS) in Nepal.

Author Biography

  • Sabin Bhattarai, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Lalitpur, Nepal

    Research Associate at ICIMOD

References

Bhattarai, S., Dahal, R. K., and Pradhan, A. M. S. (2024). Comparative analysis of rainfall thresholds for landslide initiation using terrestrial rain gauges and satellite data in Nepal: Challenges and opportunities. Asian Journal of Engineering Geology, 1(Special Issue), 7–8. https://ajeg.nseg.org.np/index.php/ajeg/article/view/11

Dahal, R. K., and Hasegawa, S. (2008). Representative rainfall thresholds for landslides in the Nepal Himalaya. Geomorphology, 100, 429–443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2008.01.014

Guzzetti, F., Peruccacci, S., Rossi, M., and Stark, C. P. (2008). The rainfall intensity–duration control of shallow landslides and debris flows: An update. Landslides, 5, 3–17. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10346-007-0112-1

Malakar, Y. (2014). Community-based rainfall observation for landslide monitoring in western Nepal. In K. Sassa, P. Canuti, and Y. Yin (Eds.), Landslide science for a safer geoenvironment, Vol. 2: Methods of landslide studies (pp. 757–763). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-05050-8_117

Melillo, M., Brunetti, M. T., Peruccacci, S., Gariano, S. L., and Guzzetti, F. (2018). A tool for the automatic calculation of rainfall thresholds for landslide occurrence. Environmental Modelling and Software, 105, 230–243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2018.03.024

Pradhan, A. M. S. (2020). Preparation of landslide catalogue (1970–2019) of Nepal. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.27290.11202

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Published

2025-11-27

How to Cite

Presenting the Results of Algorithm-Based Rainfall Thresholds for Landslide Initiation Across Different Regions of Nepal. (2025). Asian Journal of Engineering Geology, 2(Sp Issue), 343-344. https://doi.org/10.64862/

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