Inferring potential landslide damming using slope stability, geomorphic constraints, and run-out analysis: a case study from the NW Himalaya

Prediction of potential landslide damming has been a difficult process owing to the uncertainties related to landslide volume, resultant dam volume, entrainment, valley configuration, river discharge, material composition, friction, and turbulence associated with material. In this study, instability patterns of landslides, geomorphic indices, post-failure run-out predictions, and spatio-temporal patterns of rainfall and earthquakes are explored to predict the potential landslide damming sites. The Satluj valley, NW Himalaya, is chosen as a case study area. The study area has witnessed landslide damming in the past and incurred losses of USD ∼30 million and 350 lives in the last 4 decades due to such processes. A total of 44 active landslides that cover a total ∼4.81±0.05×106 m2 area and ∼34.1±9.2×106 m3 volume are evaluated to identify those landslides that may result in potential landslide damming. Out of these 44, a total of 5 landslides covering a total volume of ∼26.3±6.7×106 m3 are noted to form the potential landslide dams. Spatio-temporal variations in the pattern of rainfall in recent years enhanced the possibility of landslide triggering and hence of potential damming. These five landslides also revealed 24.8±2.7 to 39.8±4.0 m high debris flows in the run-out predictions.

Inferring potential landslide damming using slope stability, geomorphic constraints and run-out analysis; case study from the NW Himalaya

Prediction of potential landslide damming has been a difficult process owing to uncertainties related to landslide volume, resultant dam volume, entrainment, valley configuration, river discharge, material composition, friction, and turbulence associated with the material. In this study instability pattern of landslides, parametric uncertainty, geomorphic indices, post-failure run-out predictions, and spatio-temporal pattern of rainfall and earthquake is explored using Satluj valley, North-West (NW) Himalaya as a case study area to predict the potential landslide damming sites. The study area witnessed landslide damming in the past and incurred $ ~ 30 M loss and 350 lives in the last four decades due to such processes. Forty-four active landslides in the study area that cover a total ~ 4.81 ± 0.05 × 106 m2 area and ~ 34.1 ± 9.2 × 106 m3 volume are evaluated in the study to identify those that may result in potential landslide damming. Out of forty-four, five landslides covering the volume of ~ 26.3 ± 6.7 × 106 m3 are observed to form potential landslide dams. Spatio-temporal varying patterns of rainfall in recent years enhance the possibility of landslide triggering and hence potential damming. These landslides also resulted in 24.8 ± 2.7 m to 39.8 ± 4.0 m high material flow in run-out predictions.

One-year prospective study of pediatric cutaneous leishmaniasis: a neglected tropical disease in sub Himalayan region, India

Background: Satluj Valley of Himachal Pradesh is a newly identified focus of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) and here disease is still in emerging phase. Although children are most commonly affected victims by CL but till date no such study has been done on childhood CL in this region.Methods: All newly diagnosed cases of CL were registered and detailed clinico-epidemiological parameters of children between 0-18 years were recorded. Imprint smears for LD bodies and biopsies for histopathology were done in atypical cases to confirm clinical diagnosis.Results: Over a period of one year 337 cases of CL were registered, out of them 115 children (0-18 years) were enrolled for this study. School going (6-18 years) population was predominantly affected age group. Males outnumbered the females with a ratio of 1.88. Face was most commonly affected site and most (65.21%) cases presented with single lesion. Nodules (40.87%), plaques (24.35%) and papules (7.39%) were commonly observed morphologies although mixed patterns and atypical forms were also found. Most (62.60%) cases presented within 1-3 months of lesion onset. All cases responded well to treatment with antimonials. Lesional pain, swelling, bleeding, pigmentation and scarring were minor post treatment side effects.Conclusions: Pediatric CL is an emerging infection along the Satluj valley of Himachal Pradesh (HP). Although clinical diagnosis is simple, and all cases respond well to antimonials. But, availability of diagnostic tests is essential to diagnose atypical cases. Further annual record keeping, and reporting is recommended to know the exact disease burden so as to promote the effective treatment and preventive measures.