IIT-Roorkee researchers claim 'framework' for early warning system which can predict landslides 6 hrs in advance in hills
With the vast Himalayan range prone to frequent landslides, researchers from IIT-Roorkee have claimed to have formulated a framework which can provide early warnings in the hills at least six hours in advance by studying rainfall patterns. The study was published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal recently, with researchers claiming it to be a first of its kinds on the subject in the country.
"Landslides and debris flow in the Himalayan region have long posed significant challenges. Collaborative efforts of experts in meteorology, hydrology, geomorphology, remote sensing and geotechnical engineering have resulted in development of an approach that integrates meteorological modelling with numerical simulations of debris flows. This approach allows us to understand interactions between rainfall patterns and landslides," said S Srikrishnan, lead researcher of the project at the institute's Centre of Excellence in Disaster Mitigation & Management.
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The 'framework' undergoes calibration using data from major disasters like the 2013 Kedarnath floods. "We'll use data of similar disasters in Himachal Pradesh and elsewhere as well," Srikrishnan said. Given the societal impact of landslides, it represents a leap forward in disaster preparedness efforts, specifically targeting reduction of geohazard impacts in the Himalayan region, the study mentions.
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