| Abstract: | In the central Nepal Himalaya, landslides form the major natural hazards annually resulting in many casualties and damage. Structural as well as non-structural measures are in place to minimize the risk of landslide hazard. To reduce the landslide risk,a Landslide Early Warning System(LEWS) as a nonstructural measure has been piloted at Sundrawati village(Kalinchowk rural municipality, Dolakha district) to identify its effectiveness. Intensive discussions with stakeholders, aided by landslide susceptibility map, resulted in a better understanding of surface dynamics and the relationship between rainfall and surface movement. This led to the development of a LEWS comprised of extensometers,soil moisture sensors, rain gauge stations, and solar panels as an energy source that blows siren receiving signals via a micro-controller and interfacing circuit.The data generated through the system is transmitted via a Global System for Mobile Communications(GSM) network to responsible organizations in realtime to circulate the warning to local residents. This LEWS is user-friendly and can be easily operated by a community. The successful pilot early warning system has saved 495 people from 117 households in August 2018.However,landslide monitoring and dissemination of warning information remains a complex process where technical and communications skill should work closely together. |
