Mapping of Landslides in Muzaffarabad Area (Azad Kashmir, Pakistan) Using Geographic Information Sysem

Abstract

Major landslides in Muzaffarabad and its vicinity were mapped using ESRI Are View GIS. Detailed cartography, including rivers, cities and villages, major landmarks and political boundaries, were digitized using the topo-sheet numbers 43-F/7, 43-F/11, and 43F/12 (Scale: 1:50,000). On top of it, local geography of the area, major faults, and epicenter of Kashmir earthquake, 2005 and same-day aftershocks were also mapped. The Kashmir earthquake main event was triggered along the Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT) which seems to run from Bagh to Balakot, hereby causing more damages in and around these areas. Major landslides of Muzaffarabad have been activated during and after the earthquake causing extreme damages in the area, both in terms of infrastructure and casualties. These landslides are mainly attributed to the earthquake, and geology of the area. climatologic and geomorphologic conditions, mudflows, widening of the roads without stability assessment, and heavy rainfall after the earthquake Most of the slope failures along the roads resulted from the alteration of these slopes during the widening of the roads, and seepages during the rainy season immediately after the earthquake Soil creep and earth flows, or a combination of these, are the most common forms of slope failure in southern Muzaffarabad. These slope movements pose a serious hazard to Muzaffarabad - Kohala Road and Kohala-Murree Road and some residential places in the study area