Landslide Risk Assessment in Kunduz Province-Afghanistan

In this research the landslide risk at Kunduz province, was assessed. The first step was to analyze the quality of data, and to evaluate to which extend this data could be used for landslide risk assessment. Several data layers were made new as the quality of the existing data was too low. For instance, a settlement map was made by digitizing from a high resolution image. The basic data layers were converted into the same projection and georeferenced and two sets of data layers were made: one for analyzing the hazard, and the others for the elements-at-risk. A landslide susceptibility map was made using spatial multi-criteria evaluation, using criteria for triggering factors, and causal factors. The next step in the analysis was the exposure analysis, which was carried out for the landslide hazard, and for 3 types of elements-at-risk: people, agricultural lands and roads. The results show that landslide is one of the serious problem in Kunduz province mainly for the transportation routes connecting this province Takhar and Baghlan province. This study shows that it is possible to make a basic and qualitative landslide risk assessment based on publicly available data. In the near future more of this type of analysis will be carried out in Afghanistan as a basis for risk reduction planning.