Micro-Level Landslide Hazard Zonation of Saitual Town, Mizoram, India Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques

Landslide is the major geo-environmental problem in the state of Mizoram. In the present study, landslide hazard zonation (LHZ) of Saitual town, Aizawl disrict was carried out using Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. Five thematic layers viz., slope morphometry, geological structures like faults and lineaments, lithology, relative relief and land use / land cover were first generated. The thematic layers were ranked and weightage rating system was used for the different classes within these causative factors based on their relative importance in causing landslide. Each class within a thematic layer was assigned an ordinal rating from 1 to 10 as attribute information in the GIS environment. Summation of these attribute values were then multiplied by the corresponding rank values to yield the different zones of landslide hazard. It was observed that complex tectonic frameworks, soft lithology, high degree of slope angle, high local relief, high intensity rainfall and anthropogenic acitvities are the important factors that induces landslide in the area. Increase in human population and the collateral activities can gradually induce the potential risk from landslides. The micro level landslide hazard zonation map generated could be utilized as a reliable database for mitigation measures and planning for secured growth of the town.