Land Subsidence Report

Visvesvaraya Technological University
Belgaum, Karnataka-590014
A PROJECT REPORT
ON
CASE STUDY OF LAND SUBSIDENCE AT

WESTERN GHATS
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the award of degree of
BACHELORE OF ENGINEERING in CIVIL ENGINEERING
By
PRITHVIRAJ.K.PATIL
MEGHANA.U.K
MRUTHUNJAYA.A
SAHYADRI.H.N
1DS11CV077
1DS11CV050
1DS11CV053
1DS11CV092
Under the guidance of

Dr.A.R.RAJENDRA
Professor and Examination Dean
Dept. of Civil Engineering,
D.S.C.E
Carried out at
2014-2015
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
DAYANANDA SAGAR COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

BANGALORE-560078
DAYANANDA SAGAR COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

BANGALORE-560078
CASE STUDY OF LAND SUBSIDENCE AT WESTERN GHATS
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
2014-2015
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the Project Work entitled CASE STUDY OF LAND
SUBSIDENCE AT WESTERN GHATS is a bonafide work carried out by
Prithviraj.K.Patil (1DS11CV077), Meghana.U.K (1DS11CV050), Mruthunjaya.A
(1DS11CV053) and Sahyadri (1DS11CV092) in partial fulfillment of requirements for
Bachelor of Civil Engineering, Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum
during the year 2014-2015. This Project Report satisfies the academic requirements in
respect of project work (10CV85) prescribed for the award of Bachelor of Civil
Engineering Degree.
Signature of Guide
Signature of HOD
Signature of Principal
Dr. A.R.Rajendra
Dr.H.K.Ramaraju
Dr.K.Karibasappa
Dept. of Civil Engineering
Dept. of Civil Engineering
Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering
Name and signature of Examiners:

1.
2.
Dayananda Sagar college of Engineering, Civil Department
Page
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Naming all the people who have helped us in achieving this goal would
be impossible, yet we attempt to thank a selected few who have helped us in
diverse ways.
We would like to express our immense gratitude to Dr.H.K.Ramaraju

Head of the Civil Engineering Department, for his constant support, motivation
and encouragement to come up with this work.
We express my warm thanks to our guide Dr.A.R.Rajendra, Professor

and Dean of Examination, Department of Civil Engineering, and Dr.Ramesh,
Professor, DSCE and Mr.Senthil, Senior Geologist, Geological Survey of India,
Bangalore for their skillful guidance, constant supervision, timely suggestion
and constructive criticism in successful completion of my seminar in time.
Finally we also take this opportunity to thank Mr.Venkatesh,

Mr.Samarth, Mr Mr.Vinay and all the staff members of Department of Civil
Engineering, who have rendered their whole hearted support at all the time for
successful completion of the project
We also express our gratitude towards the people of Basarikatte for their
corporation and support in completion of this project
ABSTRACT
Page
A large scale landslide and subsidence is reported at various locations of Western Ghats this
occurs at the end of rainy season every year to different scales
One such location is Basarikatte, in Chikmagalur District of Karnataka State, India. It is
located 58 KM towards west from District headquarters Chikkamagaluru. 292 KM from State
capital Bangalore
Basarikatte receives high rainfall of more than 3000 mm/year Total population of Basarikatte
is 1333, living in 289 houses. Total area of Basarikatte is 428 hectares
Four years back a small land subsidence was observed near one of the charitable hostel with
complete infrastructure, this landslide/subsidence increased subsequently over four years
considerable amount of soil has moved in and moved out has reported by local people
The main objective of this study is to ascertain whether it is a case of
Land subsidence or landslide

The reasons for land subsidence/slide
To study further possibility of land dislocation
Possible remedial measures
A site visit was arranged (April02-04) to study the soil properties and physical properties of
slope, disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were collected and tested in laboratory for
various parameters
Detail study was carried out in the laboratory for the soil properties which are helpful for the
stability analysis, the soil slope was found to be 38 o which is quite steep with the natural
moisture content at the time of visit was at liquid limit (36.5%)
The stability analysis was carried out and the factor of safety against failure is found to be
0.989 it is advised that the slope is bound to fail has the factor of safety against failure is
close to 1.
As the slope is in at unstable state dumping of soil to bridge the connectivity may accelerate
slide, hence it is suggested not to dump soil
They have constructed concrete retaining wall which would not prevent the sliding because
the soil may flush out during rainy season because there is no retention of soil between hard
rock and beam of retaining wall
Page
CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Introduction
08
Chapter 2
Methodology
30
Chapter 3
Study Area
33
Chapter 4
The Problem
34
Chapter 5
Observation, Conclusion and Recommendations
51
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LIST OF FIGURES
Plate1: Map of Western Ghats
08
Plate2: Landslide Hazard Zone Mapping
27
Plate3: Study Area- Basarikatte
31
Plate4: Picture of shree sadguru bhraman charitable hostel, Basarikatte
35
Plate5: Picture of uprooting of trees in the study area
36
Plate6: Picture of destroyed house, Basarikatte
37
Plate7: Picture of concrete retaining wall constructed, Basarikatte
39
FigureA: Slope stability analysis for Slope 42o
40
FigureB: Slope stability analysis for Slope 30o
40
Figure1: Average Rainfall variation for past four years
44
Figure2: Annual Rainfall variation for past four years
44
Figure3: Monthly variation of rainfall for the year 2010
45
45
46
46
Plate7: Lineament Map of study area
47
Plate7: Geomorphology Map of study area
48
Plate7: Land Use Pattern Map of study area
49
LIST OF TABLES
Table A: Causes of Landslide
20
Table 1: Case history of Land Subsidence in other countries
29
Table2: Soil testing results
38
Table3: Water test results
42
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Table4: Rainfall data of the study area-basarikatte
43
CHAPTER: 01
INTRODUCTION
Western Ghats is a chain of mountains running parallel to the West coast of Peninsular India. The
range starts from the mouth of river Tapti and extends southwards up to Kanniyakumari (Cape
Camorin) through the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The continuous chain of mountains has a major discontinuity in the Palghat gap thus separating
the Nilgiris from the Anamalais. Western Ghats lie between 8 20' - 20 40' N and 73 - 77 E
and is approximately 1,600 km long (Nair and Daniel, 1986) and covers an area of 1,60,000
km2 . The average elevation is around 900 m and the highest mountain peak is Anaimudi
(2695m). Western Ghats lies towards the western edge of Deccan plateau and separates the
plateau from the narrow coastal zone of the Arabian Sea. It is surrounded by the Arabian Sea
towards the west, the arid Deccan plateau towards the east and the Vindhya-Satpura ranges in the
north.
Western Ghats are characterised by conical as well as flat topped hills interspersed with valleys
and spurs (Vajravelu and Vivekananthan, 1996). Along the Western side there are steep ravines
and canyons and towards the eastern side there are the flat topped spurs intersected by valleys
(Subramanyam and Nair, 1974). The mountain chains of Western Ghats are steep on the
windward side and sloping towards the Deccan plateau on the leeward side in the state of
Maharashtra whereas the range south of Palghat is sloping towards the windward side in Kerala
and steep towards the leeward side in Tamil Nadu (Nayar, 1996).
The hills north of the Krishna basin (largely Maharashtra and Gujarat) are with fragile basaltic
rocks. South of the Krishna basin is the region of Precambrian archean crystalline hard rock's
(nearly 2000 million years old granites, schists, gneisses, quartzites, etc).
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Plate1: Map of Western Ghats

(Source: IIRS Publication, June 2002).
Soils vary from humus rich peat in the montane areas to laterite in the lower elevation and high
rainfall belts. Soils are generally acidic. The Western Ghats sector receives rains from the
southwest monsoon. It rains all the year round in southern parts while in the areas in the north
remain dry for 8 9 months. The average annual rainfall in the Western Ghats region is 2500
mm. Rainfall is as high as 7600 mm in localities such as Agumbe (Daniels and Vencatesan,
2008).
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The climate is generally warm and humid but becomes hot in summer and cold in winter months.
Mean temperature ranges from 18 to 24 C, rises beyond 30 C in summer season and
sometimes down up to 0 C in winter season in places of high altitudes. There are 38 east
flowing and 27 west flowing major rivers in the Western Ghats. The rivers which originate in the
west in the Western Ghats drain into the Arabian Sea while the three major rivers in the Western
Ghats Kaveri (Cauvery), Krishna and Godavari flows eastwards into the Bay of Bengal
(Murthy et al., 1996).
Champion and Seth (1968) classified the vegetation of Western Ghats into four major types:
1. Moist tropical forests (Tropical evergreen forest, tropical semi evergreen forest,
tropical moist deciduous forest, and littoral and swamp forests).
2. Dry tropical forests (tropical dry deciduous forests, tropical thorn forests)
3. Montane subtropical forests (subtropical broad leaved hill forests)
4. Montane temperate forests (montane wet temperate forests)
Apart from the above mentioned vegetation types different types of vegetation occurs along the
Western Ghats. This includes scrubs, sholas, montane grasslands, tropical moist deciduous forest,
tropical dry deciduous forest, peat blogs, Myristica swamps, tropical evergreen forests, semievergreen forest and lateritic rocky plateaus.
Evergreen forests: These forests occur along the windward side at an altitude of 200- 1,500
m with 2,500 - 5,000 mm rainfall. The canopy is dense with trees which are up to 60 m high.
Evergreen forests are found in the western slopes of the Western Ghats in Kerala and Karnataka
(Nair and Daniel, 1986; Daniels and Vencatesan, 2008).
Semi-evergreen forests: Semi-evergreen forests occur in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra,

Goa, Karnataka and Kerala within an elevation range of about 300-900m.
Moist Deciduous forests: Moist deciduous forests occur between 500 900 m. Altitudes
where the rainfall is 2,500 mm to 3,500 mm. Trees are as high as 60 m but the canopies of the
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trees in these forests are not as dense as the ones in the evergreen forests (Nair and Daniel, 1986;
Daniels and Vencatesan, 2008).
Dry Deciduous forests: Dry Deciduous forests are confined to areas with an elevational
range of 300 900 m with 1000 2000 mm mean annual rainfall (Nair and Daniel, 1986;
Daniels and Vencatesan, 2008).
The Sholas (Grasslands): In the Western Ghats natural grasslands are found above 1,500 m
with 2500 5000 mm rainfall in Bababudangiris, Kudremukh, Nilgiris, Anaimalais, Palnis and
Cardamom hill ranges. The grasslands which are also called as shrub savannas or the sholas are
characterized by number of herbaceous and shrubby species mixed with grasses (Nair and
Daniel, 1986; Daniels and Vencatesan, 2008).
Rocky lateritic plateaus: Undulating lateritic plateaus occur along the west coast of the
Western Ghats. These harbour herbaceous vegetation. These are commonly found in the
Northern and Central Western Ghats (Nair and Daniel, 1986).
Myristica swamps: These are located at the bottom of valleys which are covered with water
during the greater part of the year. These are found in southernmost part of Kerala, Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka and Goa. These occur up to 600 m altitude in areas with medium to high rainfall (Nair
and Daniel, 1986).
Scrub forest: Scrub jungles are located in areas between 200-500 m elevation with 300-600
mm of annual rainfall. This vegetation type is dominated by short trees which are 15-20 m high
(Nair and Daniel, 1986; Daniels and Vencatesan, 2008).
Savannas: Savannas are seen in areas between 1,700-1,900 m in elevation with 2500 3500
mm rainfall (Nair and Daniel, 1986; Daniels and Vencatesan, 2008). Pascal (1988) categorized
Western Ghats into three regions: the Northern Western Ghats, the Central Western Ghats and the
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Southern Western Ghats. The geographical area of present study is restricted to the Northern
Western Ghats and the Central Western Ghats (up to the political boundary of Karnataka).
Northern Western Ghats (Tapti to Goa): The northern Western Ghats are popularly
known as Sahyadris. It starts from the mouth of river Tapti and extends 750 km in length up to
Goa. The altitudinal range is between 300-1500 m msl excluding high crests (Karthikeyan,
1996). Along the Northern Western Ghats isolated, conical, flat-topped hills occur with steep
sides which are marked with distinct striations. The major peaks in Northern Western Ghats
(Sahyadris) are Kalsubai (1645m), Mahableshwar (1438m) and Harishchandragad (1424m).
The main groups of soils found along the Northern Western Ghats are high and low level
laterites, red loam, medium black soil, red gravelly soils and mixed red and black soil. Medium
black soils are found on flat hill tops while the valleys have deep red gravelly soils with good
humus content (Karthikeyan, 1996).
The South west monsoons bring heavy rains in the Northern Western Ghats. The rainy season
begins in early June and ceases off during September. The mean annual rainfall varies from 2000
- 7000 mm. The humidity is 70 - 90% during the monsoons and 10 - 30% during dry periods.
The mean annual temperature varies from 20 - 24C. Mean daily temperature in the coldest
months (December - January) ranges between 18 - 24C while the absolute minimum
temperature is 6 - 15C in different places of Northern Western Ghats (Karthikeyan, 1996).
The vegetation occurring along the Northern Western Ghats can be classified as: scrub forest, dry
deciduous forest, moist deciduous forest, montane subtropical evergreen forest (Karthikeyan,
1996).
2) Central Western Ghats (South of Goa up to Palghat gap) : Central Western

Ghats starts from south of Goa up to the Palghat gap. However, due to logistic reasons, in the
present study the area is restricted up to the political boundary of Karnataka. This region is
approximately 320 km long (Kamath, 1982). The ghats in this section rise sharply to form
unbroken and uneven rampart averaging an altitude of 900 m. In the study area of Central
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Western Ghats, Kudremukh (1892 m) is the highest peak followed by Thadiandamol (1745 m)
and Pushpagiri (1713 m). The Western Ghats in this section are very close to the coast and at
several places touches the shore.
The main groups of soils found along the Central Western Ghats are lateritic soil, red soil, mixed
red and black soil, red loam and brown clay. Lateritic soils occur in the coastal regions of Uttara
Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Shimoga and Hassan districts. Red soils occur in Shimoga, Hassan
and Chikmagalur districts.
Western Ghats in Karnataka though receive rainfall from the south west monsoons also receive
rains from the north east monsoons during October to January. Annual rainfall varies from 4000
mm to 8000 mm. Annual rainfall is highest in the Western Ghats section and lowest in the eastern
parts of Chitradurga towards the leeward side. Agumbe receives highest rainfall (8270 mm) in
this sector followed by Bhagamandala (6032 mm).
The mean annual temperature varies from 18 - 20C. Mean daily temperature ranges between
20 - 24C. The humidity is 90% during the monsoons in the month of July and August. The
vegetation occurring along the Central Western Ghats can be classified as: tropical evergreen
forest, semi-evergreen forest, moist deciduous forest and the sholas.
ABOUT CHIKMAGALUR DISTRICT:

Chikmagalur is known as- A gateway to Western Ghats. The district is the very heart and soul of
Malnad. The breath taking beautiful Sahyadri hill ranges; the land scape; the rivers; the flora and
Page 12
fauna; the lush green coffee estates and the rich heritage of the district all add to the importance
and glamour of this place.
Chikmagalur district has got a geographical extent of about 7200 sq.kms, out of which about
40% of it is covered by forest area, between 120551 and 130541 north latitudes and 7551 and
760221 east longitudes. Shimoga bound the district in the north. District shares its boundaries
with Chitrdurga, Tumkur and Hassan towards south, it is bounded by Hassan district on the south
west and the west, and the Western Ghats constitute a natural barrier which separates it from the
Dakshina Kannada district. Many parts of the district are situated in heavy rainfall zone.
However 2 talukas Kadur and Tarikere are located towards the east comprising more or less level
lands and partake the features of maidan areas.
The district presents a college of different and diverse colours of nature. On the one hand eastern
talukas of Tarikere and Kadur are dry falling in the maidan areas, on the other western parts of
the district i.e. Chikmagalur, Narasimharajpura, koppa, Sringeri and Mudigere constitute western
ghats and are extremely important from geological point of view.
The climate of the district is agreeable and cool throughout the year. Though March, April and
May are regarded as summer months, during this period the maximum day temperature stays
around 30c and the night temperature however around 19c.The average annual rainfall of the
district is 1990mm. The eastern belts receive a rainfall of about 600mm/yr only, while the
western belt receiving around 3000mm/yr.
FORESTS IN CHIKMAGALUR DISTRICT

The west of the district is covered with some of the best forest in the country. Throughout the
Jagra valley (Bhadra wild life sanctuary). Mudigere, Koppa, Sringeri, N.R. pura and parts of
Chikmagalur taluks was earlier a continuous stretch of highly valuable forests, densely clothing
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the hillsides. During the years since this tree growth gives valuable shelter to coffee plantations,
most of it has been converted into large and extensive coffee estates, so much so that
Chikmagalur district has become the foremost among coffee growing districts in the country
today. Tea and other plantation. Crops have also claimed large chunk of pristine forests. The
district is unique in having diverse kinds of forests, which are as follows:
1) Scrub type forest: Found in drier tracts in Kadur and Tarikere taluks these are degraded
kind of forests where vegetation is thorny type and bushy. Main converted into plantations of
eucalyptus, cassia siamea, Acacia auriculiformis etc, by the forest department.
2) Thorny dry deciduas forest: Found in those areas having lesser rainfall. Abounds in
deciduous tree species, which shed their leaves during summer months.
3) Moist deciduous forest: These occur in those areas having better rainfall. Leaf shedding
takes place during summer months. Teaks, Rosewood, Nandhi, and terminalias are the
conspicuous species.
4) Semi evergreen forests: These are the forests occurring in areas receiving good rainfall.
They have a mix of tree species form moist deciduous and evergreen forest. Rich bio diversity is
found in them.
5) Evergreen forests: Found in the region of very high rainfall these are treasure houses of
medicinal plants. The forests of Bhagavathi valley in Kudremukh National Park and Balur state
forest in Mudigere range are the examples. They support huge tree with high and almost closed
canopy. They are rich in canes.
6) Shoals forests: Sholas are one of the wonders of nature they occur as patches in the
depressions and hollows of the high peaks like Baba Budans, Kudremukh rumbling along the
slopes. A typical undisturbed shoal forest has got closed canopy, so that even sunrays may find it
difficult to pass through. Soil is very rich in humus. These are rich in humus. These are the
harbingers of natural water streams. Invariably shoals occur as an oasis in grasslands. During
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summers grasslands are under intensive threat of fire. This fire also takes its toll on shoals
leading to their continuous shrinking although they occur as small expanses of forest only in the
crevices or depressions but we have a huge shoal forest by name shankar shoal near
Kemmanagundi. The area of shankar shoal is few hundred hectares.
7) Grass lands: A very important feature of the hills of Chikmagalur district is the existence of
grassland. These appear like a velvety green spread covering the entire hillocks. It is so
enchanting and soothing to see them during rainy season when the new grass is coming up.
Although they may look like vast expanses of land having only dense growth of coarser grass
interspersed with shrubby plants here and there, they are treasure houses of very important
herbaceous medical plants. They also act as live sponges to soak the rainwater to recharge the
water table. These grasslands are the climatic climax and by carbon dating they are found to have
exited for millions of years. They have been assigned a very important function by nature and
they have to be allowed to remain there. They are very valuable grazing meadows for herbivores
like Gaurs, In fact, in the past whenever it has been tried to convert them into some plantations
by been so encouraging.
However since there are invaluable grazing grounds, large numbers of cattle so grazing on them.
Because of this in order to have better and tender grass during rains, villages usually burn them
during summers. This fire is also at times spreads to intervening shoals and is a cause of
destruction of shoals too. Due to such burning the hillocks get charred and become sooty black
during summers.
Details Of Forest lands In The District Excluding Private Forest

Division Forest land in hectares
Chikamagalur 77154
Koppa 113810
Bhadra wild life 49246
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Karkala wild life part 35411

Bhadravathi part 24990
Total 300611
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LANDSLIDES
Landslides occur when masses of rock, earth or debris move down a slope. Mudslides, debris
flows or mudflows, are common type of fast-moving landslides that tend to flow in channels.
These are caused by disturbances in the natural stability of a slope, which are triggered high
intensity rains. Mudslides usually begin on steep slopes and develop when water rapidly collects
in the ground and results in a surge of water-soaked rock, earth and debris. Causes may be of two
kinds: 1. Preparatory causes & 2: Triggering causes. Preparatory causes are factors which have
made the slope potentially unstable.. The triggering cause is the single event that finally initiated
the landslide. Thus, causes combine to make a slope vulnerable to failure, and the trigger finally
initiates the movement. Thus a landslide is a complex dynamic system. An individual landslide
characteristically involves many different processes operating together, often with differing
intensity during successive years. The main trigger of landslides is heavy or prolonged rainfall.
This could be either an exceptional short lived high intensity event, or of a long duration rainfall
event with lower intensity, lasting several days, such as the cumulative effect of monsoon
rainfall. In the former case it is usually necessary to have very high rainfall intensities, whereas
in the latter the intensity of rainfall may be only moderate - it is the duration and existing pore
water pressure conditions that are important.
Table A: Causes of Landslide
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Gravity caused slope instability occur naturally due to earth quakes, etc. Slope failures are also
triggered by high degree of human impact on the environment. Land use changes may lead to
land degradation, and make hillslopes more susceptible to instability (or mass movement). The
past several decades have witnessed intense disruption of forest cover, for alternative land uses
(mining, quarrying, monoculture plantations, agriculture, human settlements, roads, railways
etc.) or for biomass needs, in the mountains and hills of India. In such events when extreme
meteorological events, such as heavy rainfall happen landslide episodes, have increased causing
human and cattle deaths and destruction of property and livelihoods. Susceptibility to landslides
may be considered as a natural, tangible process in a landscape, taking into account the rainfall
history, as well as the geological and geomorphic setting of the area. Risk levels increase
drastically in landslide prone areas whenever human pressures increase.
In addition to rainfall, several factors probably contribute to slope failure. These include:
i) Geological structures like shattered, fragmented and highly jointed rocks and topography like
steep slopes, interacting to provide the geometry favouring landslides.
ii) Prolonged rainfall certainly produces abnormally high antecedent groundwater levels, more so
in places where the ground water level is already high due to the nearness of rivers or estuaries or
other water bodies. It is the collective rainfall of many days that enhances the pore water
pressure.
iii) Poor drainage network in the hillocks due to changes in land cover (removal of vegetation
or obstruction of drainage channels) alters the drainage.
iv) Steep slopes cut for pathways and residential buildings near the base of the slope further
destabilizes the slope by removing the basal support.
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Landslides are classified by causal factors and conditions, and include falls, slides and flows,
which are described below. There are many attributes used as criteria for identification and
classification including rate of movement, type of material and nature of movement. A
combination of characteristics can also contribute to an
increased risk of landslide hazards.
a. Falls: Falls are abrupt movements of rocks and boulders i.e., masses of geologic
materials that become detached from steep slopes or cliffs. Movement occurs by
free-fall, bouncing, and rolling on separation along discontinuities such as fractures, joints, and
bedding planes. Gravity, mechanical weathering, and the presence of interstitial water strongly
influence falls.In falls, material is detached from a steep slope or cliff and descends through the
air by free fall or by bouncing or rolling down the slope. Rock fall, the most common type, is a
fall of detached rocks from an area of intact bedrock.
b. Topples: The end-over-end motion of rock down a slope . Under the actions of
gravity and forces exerted by adjacent units or by fluids in cracks toppling occurs. Toppling
failures are distinguished by the forward rotation of a unit or units about some pivotal point,
below or low in the unit.
c. Slides: Even though the term slide used in general for any landslide it has more restrictive
use of the term refers only to mass movements, where there is a distinct zone of weakness that
separates the slide material from more stable underlying material. Slides include rockslides the
down slope movement of a rock mass along a plane surface; and slumps the sliding of material
along a curved (rotational slide) or flat (translational slide) surface. Slow-moving landslides can
occur on relatively gentle slopes, and can cause significant property damage, but they are far less
likely to result in serious human casualties.
d. Flows: Flows are plastic or liquid movements in which mass (e.g., soil and rock) breaks up
and flows during movement. Flows are typically rapidly moving and also tend to increase in
volume as they scour out the channel.
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a. Debris flow: A debris flow is a form of rapid mass movement in which a combination of
loose soil, rock, organic matter, air, and water mobilize as slurry that flows downslope. Debris
flows include <50% fines. Debris flows are commonly caused by intense surface-water flow, due
to heavy precipitation or rapid snowmelt that erodes and mobilizes loose soil or rock on steep
slopes. Debris flows also commonly mobilize from other types of landslides that occur on steep
slopes, are nearly saturated, and consist of a large proportion of silt- and sand-sized material.
Debris-flow source areas are often associated with steep gullies, and debris-flow deposits are
usually indicated by the presence of debris fans at the mouths of gullies. Fires that denude slopes
of vegetation intensify the susceptibility of slopes to debris flows.
b. Earth flow: Earthflows have a characteristic "hourglass" shape. The slope material liquefies
and runs out, forming a bowl or depression at the head. The flow itself is elongate and usually
occurs in fine-grained materials or clay-bearing rocks on moderate slopes and under saturated
conditions. However, dry flows of granular material are also possible.
c. Mud flow: A mudflow is an earthflow consisting of material that is wet enough to flow
rapidly and that contains at least 50 percent sand-, silt-, and clay-sized particles. In some
instances, for example in many newspaper reports, mudflows and debris flows are commonly
referred to as "mudslides."
d. Creep: Creep is the unnoticeably slow, steady, downward movement of slope-forming soil or
rock. Movement is caused by shear stress sufficient to produce permanent deformation, but too
small to produce shear failure. There are generally three types of creep: (1) seasonal, where
movement is within the depth of soil affected by seasonal changes in soil moisture and soil
temperature; (2) continuous, where shear stress continuously exceeds the strength of the
material; and (3) progressive, where slopes are reaching the point of failure as other types of
mass movements. Creep is indicated by curved tree trunks, bent fences or retaining walls, tilted
poles or fences, and small soil ripples or ridges.
e. Lateral spread: Lateral spreads are distinctive from other slides. They usually occur on very
gentle slopes or flat terrain. The dominant mode of movement is lateral extension accompanied
Page 20
by shear or tensile fractures. The failure is caused by liquefaction, the process whereby saturated,
loose, cohesionless sediments (usually sands and silts) are transformed from a solid into a
liquefied state. Failure is usually triggered by rapid ground motion, such as that experienced
during an earthquake, but can also be artificially induced due to human activity like mining, or
even micro seismic waves from construction activities and vehicular movement. When coherent
material, either bedrock or soil, rests on materials that liquefy, the upper units may undergo
fracturing and extension and may then subside, translate, rotate, disintegrate, or liquefy and flow.
Lateral spreading in fine-grained materials on shallow slopes is usually progressive. The failure
starts suddenly in a small area and spreads rapidly. Often the initial failure is a slide, but in some
materials movement occurs for no apparent reason.
Combination of two or more of the above types is known as a complex landslide. Slides due to
cut-and-fill failures during roadway and building excavations, river bluff failures, lateral
spreading landslides, collapse of mine-waste piles (especially coal), and in wide variety of slope
failures are associated and open-pit mines or quarries in low-relief areas. It might be a slide in
hilly terrain or in a low relief area landslides are resultant of the temporal conjunction of several
factors or variables.
Vulnerable places in India: Hill-side instability is a common problem in the

geodynamically sensitive belts of Himalayas. Several major landslides have occurred in the
recent past resulting in large-scale damages to life and property. Cloudburst occurs in areas
where the mountains are high. As the floating clouds cannot find a passage, after some time a
thick layer of clouds accumulate and one day it bursts creating landslides (Deoja et al., 1991;
Naithani et al., 2002).
Largely made up of Precambrian geological formations with variable cover of Jurassic to
Quaternary sedimentary rocks and Cretaceous-Eocene volcanics, the peninsular Indian shield
was long held to be immune from seismicity. Nevertheless, many earthquakes have been
recorded from the coastal margin of the Indian peninsula during the last 200 years.
Geologists ascribe point out various reasons for such disturbances:
Page 21
1. The continental fragment is being pushed northeastward by the Carlsberg and Central Indian
ridges;
2. The Indo-Myanmar subduction zone is exerting vigorous slab pull towards the east;
3. Repeated cycles of sea level change during the Quaternary have also induced continuing
hydro-isostatic adjustment due to variable melt water loading in the Bay of Bengal and the
Arabian sea. All these forces produce space-time fluctuations of strain around many small to
large faults, which occur in the upper crust of the shield (Banerjee et al., 2001).
LANDSLIDES IN CHIKMAGALUR DISTRICT

In Chikmagalur district the landslides are noticed only in Malnad part of the district. The Ghat
sections namely, charmudi ghat, Agumbe ghat roads are subjected to minor landslides, which
will interfere in the transportation system. The district does not experience the landslides of
greater extent, which will cause the loss to life and property. The heavy rain and topographical
features of the district are the main cause for landslides in the district. The Mullayanagiri peak,
Bababudangiri peak are also subjected to minor landslides frequently. The severity of the
landslides in the place is not high since the stability of the soil is so strong since it contains
Hematite ore
MITIGATION MEASURES
In general mitigatory measures to be adopted for such areas are
Drainage correction.
Proper land use measures.
Reforestation of the areas occupied by degraded vegetation.
Creation of awareness among local peoples.
Re-grading of slope.
Benching of slope.
Provision of fill at the toe.
Relocating is changing the location of the facility to avoid landslide prone areas.
RISK DUE TO LANDSLIDE INCIDENCE

Page 22
Geographical risk:
Location of landslide.
Magnitude.
Spread and deposition of debris
Blocking of streams.
Engineering risk:
Buildings.
Roads.
Bridges.
Communication lines.
Supply lines (electricity, water etc.).
Medical risk:
Death.
Injury.
Loss of supply and equipment.
Loss of medical personnel.
Socio- economic consequences:
Loss of homes.
Loss of employment.
Loss of revenues.
Increased medical needs.
Impact on insurance.
LANDSLIDE HAZARD ZONE MAPPING

Landslide prone areas to be delineated by integrating multiple database, example: topographical
map, geological map, ground truth, remote sensing data, and the geo-technical investigations.
Landslide hazard zone mapping is a relatively new tool being used for landslide forecasting arid
Page 23
forewarning. While landslide hazard zone studies are being carried out in various parts of the
country, study of vulnerability and risk analysis are yet to be taken up in detail in Chikmagalur.
Plate2: Landslide Hazard Zone Mapping
LAND SUBSIDENCE
Land subsidence is a slow settlement of the ground surface due to natural or human
induced causes. It is reported from many parts of the world and it causes substantial loss to
property. This phenomenon can concern areas of various extensions, variable time periods and it
Page 24
can induce different consequences. Subsidence is observed to have resulted from natural causes,
such as tectonic motion and sea level rise. Natural subsidence is very slow and develops in long
term geological periods. In historical periods (hundreds of years) natural subsidence effects are
not serious. On the contrary anthropogenic causes such as the heavy withdrawal of groundwater,
geothermal fluids, oil and gas or the extraction of coal, sulphur, gold and other solids through
mining or by tunnelling or from other mixed causes such as the hydro-compaction of loosely
deposited sediments, oxidation and shrinkage of organic deposits or the development of
sinkholes in karstic terrain. These are more rapid and its effects are more evident in the short
term. Natural subsidence and anthropogenic one operate on different time scales (millions to
thousands of years and hundreds to tens of years, respectively).
CHAPTER: 02
METHODOLOGY
Page 25
Pre Fieldwork:
Review of literature; Collection of relevant geology maps, toposheets on 1:25,000 scales and
imageries of the area.
Field Investigation:
Identification of landslide in the study area, collection of soil sample for determining its
engineering properties, carrying out total station survey to obtain the ground profile and
collecting the feedback from local people; Identification of environmentally unsound
anthropogenic activities such as diversion of streams, road cuts, etc.
Post Fieldwork:
Creation of Digital elevation modal (DEM) from toposheets, Geo-reference of maps and images;
Testing of soil and determining its properties.
Data Used:
Rainfall data of the study area from Government of Karnataka, Annual Rainfall Report
for last five years
Page 26
Geomorphological map of Chikmagalur.(scale:1:250000) from GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

OF INDIA
Toposheet of the area (scale:1:25000) from SURVEY OF INDIA Bangalore
Lineament map of study area from NRSC-BHUVAN unit of ISRO
Geomorphology map of study area from NRSC-BHUVAN unit of ISRO
Land Use pattern from NRSC-BHUVAN unit of ISRO
Rainfall Data from India Meteorological Department for Chikmagalur District (mm)
Mineral cross-section map of area (scale : 1:50000) from GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF

INDIA
Software Used
ArcMap for Mapping and GeoStudio for Slope Stability Analysis
CHAPTER: 03
STUDY AREA
Page 27
About Basarikatte
Coordinates: 1318'30"N 7522'59"E
Plate3: Study Area- Basarikatte

Basarikatte is a small Village/hamlet in Koppa Taluk in Chikmagalur District of Karnataka State,
India. It comes under Honnagundi Panchayath. It belongs to Mysore Division. It is located 58
KM towards west from District headquarters Chikkamagaluru. 292 KM from State capital
Bangalore
Basarikatte pin code is 577114 and postal head office is Basarikatte, It is surrounded by Sringeri
Taluk towards South, Narasimharajapura Taluk towards East, Tirthahalli Taluk towards North ,
Shimoga Taluk towards North Shimoga , Chikmagalur , Tarikere,Karkala are the nearby Cities to
Basarikatte.
This Place is in the border of the Chikmagalur District and Shimoga District. Shimoga District
Tirthahalli is North towards this place.
Page 28
Basarikatte is located on a foot hill of meruthi parvatha which has an elevation of 4382ft above
MSL. The average rainfall of the area is 3161.75mm
Demographics of Basarikatte
Kannada is the Local Language here. Total population of Basarikatte is 1333.
Living in 289 houses. Total area of Basarikatte is 428 hectares
CHAPTER: 04
The Problem
Page 29
The part of the hill slope started subsiding in 2009 on a small area of approximate 230sq.ft.
Subsequently over years the area of subsidence has become larger and deeper. In the vicinity of
subsided area there exists a charitable hostel, which houses around 70 students.
Plate4: Shree sadguru bhraman charitable hostel, Basarikatte which lies in the vicinity of subsided area
In 2014 the subsidence has started below the foundation and the walls and flooring were cracked
up and one side of the asbestor sheet roof has settled to an extent of 200mm. The road connecting
to the hostel was broken off due to subsidence.
The subsided portion was filled up with fresh earth borrowed from somewhere else and a
temporary communication line was opened.
During june-july2014 monsoon, further the soil subsided to a greater extent and the tree were
distorted and moved laterally and vertically also.
Page 30
Plate5: Uprooting of trees which lies in the vicinity of subsided area at Basarikatte
(Picture clicked on 2-April-2015)
Page 31
There is also an evidence of huge movement of soil mass at the site and a house located at the
downstream of the slope was destroyed and became inhabitable.
Plate6: Destroyed house which lies in the vicinity of subsided area at Basarikatte
A site visit was undertaken on April02-04, 2015 to study the reason for subsidence and to work
out possible remedial measures. A soil sample was collected to determine various soil properties
and existing natural ground slope of the ground was measured. The ground slope and natural
condition of the soil and properties of the soil are found in the laboratory.
One of the maps it is observed that there is a lineament running into 3-4km was observed. The
ground profile is mapped and it is clearly shown in the map.
It is observed at the time of making the map, the ground slope seem to be 42o
Page 32
On virtual inspection of the site it is observed:
The soil contains appreciable amount of mica

The soil contains large chunks of micasychst stone which has a bedding plane of 28 o to
the horizontal and lies along the slope

The micasychst chunks aeem to be very soft and could be easily crushed between fingers
The soil seems to be saturated with natural ground water and groundwater oozes along
the slope and turns into a small streak

It appears whole soil mass is sitting over a bed of micasychst. The average thickness of
soilcap was found to be 10m.

Well below the micasyschst layer underlies conglomerate which tallies with the records
obtained from GSI.

The slope angle was measured and it was 32 o at the time of site visit, Subsequently fresh
earth was dumped in order to bridge the connectivity and the slope is found to be 42o
During every rainy season the fresh earth dumped slips down and to prevent this a concrete
retaining wall is being constructed.
Page 33
Plate7: Concrete retaining wall constructed in the vicinity of subsided area at Basarikatte
Still the thickness of soil cap is around 10m at site and only top layer is retained.
The retaining wall starts at height of 8m above the hard strata and in between there exists a soil
cap of 8m. Disturbed and undisturbed soil samples and water samples were collected and
engineering properties of the soil were determined, the results are shown in Table2and3.
Results obtained after soil testing carried out at

Geotechnical Laboratory, Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering Bangalore
Soil Sample: BASARIKATTE
Page 34
Table2: SOIL TESTING RESULTS

Natural Water Content
42%
Liquid Limit
36.5%
Plastic Limit
26.5%
Shrinkage Limit
Shear Strength
1.02 kg/cm.sq
Density
1.56 g/cc
Cohesion
29.41 k.pa
Angle of Internal Friction()
10o
Co-efficient of Uniformity Cu
1.237
Co-efficient of Permeability(K)
0.81 cm/cm.sq
Results obtained after carrying out water sample tests at

Environmental Laboratory, Dayananda Sagar College of EngineeringBangalore
Water Sample: Burwell water BASARIKATTE
Page 35
Table3: WATER TEST RESULT

Ph.
7.42
Total Acidity
12 mg/l
Hardness
16mg/l
Alkalinity
24mg/l
Iron
.62mg/l
The natural moisture content is nearly equal to liquid limit. The ground water is oozing out
through the soil pores and congregates into a small stream at downstream side. The soil layer at
the site is soft and is difficult to walk through the soil because of its moisture content.
Slope stability analysis was done using the software GeoStudio2012 and it is found out that the
factor of safety against failure is very critical. The dumping of soil on the slope decreases the
factor of safety and becomes very vulnerable. Hence it is suggested that dumping of soil should
be immediately stopped.
Page 36
FigureA: Slope stability analysis for Slope 42o
FigureB: Slope stability analysis for Slope 30o

Page 37
In order to prevent the slide of soil mass a staggered concrete retaining wall is constructed.
Bored piles are constructed to depth of 10m along a staggered line (Refer Plate07) At the outer
pile a beam is casted and a concrete wall is taken up to height of 2.2m It is proposed to fill the
subsided/slipped portion of soil mass with a new earth to bridge the road. This cause additional
load and increased slope angle, the rainfall of the area is quit high and the rain water gets into the
soil to a large extent as the micaschist bedding planes are nearly vertical.
The water gets into the bedding plane at high elevation and oozes out at lower points making the
soil soft and creating pore water pressure which create upper seepage force, thus causing slide of
the soil mass. Also the soil mass is resting on large plates of micaschist. The bedding planes are
moreover polished and offer least resistance to movement.
The soil contains appreciable amount of mica, this mica in soil reduces the internal friction.
During rainy season when the water content increases and upward flow of water accompanied
with the presence of mica makes the whole soil slope vulnerable to slide.
Page 38
Rainfall Analysis:
The climate of the district is agreeable and cool throughout the year. Though March, April and
May are regarded as summer months, during this period the maximum day temperature stays
around 30c and the night temperature however around 19c.The average annual rainfall of the
district is 1990mm. The eastern belts receive a rainfall of about 600mm/yr only, while the
western belt receiving around 3000mm/yr.
The Study Area- Basarikatte receives high rainfall of more than 3000 mm and landslides occur
when a high intensity rain follows a prolonged steady rainy season. This normally occurs during
the middle phase of southwest monsoon or if the pre-monsoon is high in the initial phase in the
month of August or September. A short duration of intense rainfall can be used to predict the
likelihood of a landslide. It increases the groundwater level through either short, intense
precipitation or prolonged rainfall of lower intensity. The monthly variations of rainfall at the
stations were evaluated to see the intensity of rainfall. For this, the average rainfall was
calculated as shown in Figure1-6 Rainfall exceeding 200 mm/day has been found to initiate
catastrophic landslides in the Western Ghats area.
Page 39
RAINFALL DATA OF THE REGION

Table4: Rainfall Data of the Study AreaBasarikatte
YEAR
2010
2011
2012
2013
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Sum
AVERA
0
0
21
125
137
248
879
664
531
324
286
2
3217
268.0
0
0
0
140
108
601
837
716
357
236
114
0
3109
259.0
0
0
0
228
16
283
537
1024
230
36
153
3
2510
209.16
3
16
58
0
157
685
1808
678
299
72
35
0
3811
317.5
GE
833
833
67
833
SOURCE: ANNUAL RAINFALL REPORT-KARNATAKA
Page 40
AVERAGE RAINFALL in mm
350
300
317.58
268.08
259.08
250
209.17
AVERAGE
200
150
100
50
0
2009.5
2010
2010.5
2011
2011.5
2012
2012.5
2013
2013.5
Figure1: Average Rainfall variation for past four years
ANNUALL RAINFALL in mm
4500
4000
3500
3811
3217
3109
3000
sum
2510
2500
2000
1500
1000
500
0
2009.5
2010
2010.5
2011
2011.5
2012
2012.5
2013
2013.5
Figure2: Annual Rainfall variation for past four years

Page 41
1000
900
879
800
700
664
600
531
500
400
324
300
248
200
125
100
0 0
Jan
0
Feb
286
137
21
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
2
Dec
900
837
800
716
700
601
600
500
400
357
300
236
200
140
100
0 0
Jan
0
Feb
0
Mar
Apr
114
108
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
0
Dec
Page 42
1200
1024
1000
800
600
537
400
0 0
Jan
283
228
200
230
153
0
Feb
0
Mar
36
16
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
3
Dec
2000
1808
1800
1600
1400
1200
1000
800
685
600
678
400
299
200
0 3
Jan
16
Feb
58
Mar
157
0
Apr May
Jun
72
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
35
Nov
0
Dec
Page 43
Plate8: Lineament Map of study area

(Source: NRSC-BHUVAN unit of ISRO)
Page 44
Plate9: Geomorphology Map of study area

Page 45
Plate10: Land Use Pattern Map of study area

Page 46
CHAPTER: 05
Observations
The landslide is triggered due to the heavy rainfall in the year 2013
(Annual rainfall = 3811mm)
The slope angle is 42o
The first order streams were modified
The soil type is silty-clay and its strength is found to be too low
Conclusion
The sliding of soil mass cannot be prevented because of the natural slope condition and
its soil properties

Filling of soil in order to bridge the connectivity further accelerates the sliding process
and should be stopped

Construction of retaining wall to prevent the land slide will not serve any purpose as the
critical slip surface well below the retaining wall, further the over burden pressure due to
filled earth mass would make the soil lying below the plinth of retaining wall to flush out
during heavy rainfall

Stop the construction activity in the vicinity of subsided area
Modification of drainage pattern in the area
Page 47
As the slope is 42o modification of slope has to be done, Remove the soil from top and
fill in the toe part, so that the stability is achieved and factor of safety is increased
Anchorage of the structure with the bed rock
Recommendations
It is recommended that the people residing in the vicinity of subsided area must be
evacuated
Grouting, strong reinforcement or modification of design has to be carried out to protect
the existing structures in the area

Plantation has to be done after modification of slope and drainage pattern
Monitor the area during heavy rainfalls
Installation of tiltometer to check further subsidence/slide
Detail study has to be carried out at this village, and similar geo-hazard regions around
the area should be located and has to be studied
Page 48
REFRENCES
Landslide Susceptible Zone Mapping in Uttara Kannada, Central Western Ghats
Landslides at Karwar, October 2009: Causes and Remedial Measures
Chikkmaglur District Disaster management Report
Land Subsidence and Earth Fissures in West Kallada Area of Kollam District
Page 49

Land Subsidence Report

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Visvesvaraya Technological University

CASE STUDY OF LAND SUBSIDENCE AT

Under the guidance of

DAYANANDA SAGAR COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

DAYANANDA SAGAR COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

CASE STUDY OF LAND SUBSIDENCE AT WESTERN GHATS

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

Dept. of Civil Engineering

Dept. of Civil Engineering

Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering

Name and signature of Examiners:

Dayananda Sagar college of Engineering, Civil Department

CASE STUDY OF LAND SUBSIDENCE AT WESTERN GHATS

We would like to express our immense gratitude to Dr.H.K.Ramaraju

We express my warm thanks to our guide Dr.A.R.Rajendra, Professor

Finally we also take this opportunity to thank Mr.Venkatesh,

Dayananda Sagar college of Engineering, Civil Department

CASE STUDY OF LAND SUBSIDENCE AT WESTERN GHATS

Land subsidence or landslide

Dayananda Sagar college of Engineering, Civil Department

CASE STUDY OF LAND SUBSIDENCE AT WESTERN GHATS

Observation, Conclusion and Recommendations

Dayananda Sagar college of Engineering, Civil Department

CASE STUDY OF LAND SUBSIDENCE AT WESTERN GHATS

Plate2: Landslide Hazard Zone Mapping

Plate3: Study Area- Basarikatte

Plate4: Picture of shree sadguru bhraman charitable hostel, Basarikatte

Plate5: Picture of uprooting of trees in the study area

Plate6: Picture of destroyed house, Basarikatte

Plate7: Picture of concrete retaining wall constructed, Basarikatte

FigureA: Slope stability analysis for Slope 42o

FigureB: Slope stability analysis for Slope 30o

Figure1: Average Rainfall variation for past four years

Figure2: Annual Rainfall variation for past four years

Figure3: Monthly variation of rainfall for the year 2010

Figure4: Monthly variation of rainfall for the year 2011

Figure5: Monthly variation of rainfall for the year 2012

Figure6: Monthly variation of rainfall for the year 2013

Plate7: Lineament Map of study area

Plate7: Geomorphology Map of study area

Plate7: Land Use Pattern Map of study area

Table 1: Case history of Land Subsidence in other countries

Table2: Soil testing results

Table3: Water test results

Dayananda Sagar college of Engineering, Civil Department

CASE STUDY OF LAND SUBSIDENCE AT WESTERN GHATS

Table4: Rainfall data of the study area-basarikatte

Dayananda Sagar college of Engineering, Civil Department

CASE STUDY OF LAND SUBSIDENCE AT WESTERN GHATS

Plate1: Map of Western Ghats

CASE STUDY OF LAND SUBSIDENCE AT WESTERN GHATS

Semi-evergreen forests: Semi-evergreen forests occur in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra,

CASE STUDY OF LAND SUBSIDENCE AT WESTERN GHATS

CASE STUDY OF LAND SUBSIDENCE AT WESTERN GHATS

2) Central Western Ghats (South of Goa up to Palghat gap) : Central Western

CASE STUDY OF LAND SUBSIDENCE AT WESTERN GHATS

ABOUT CHIKMAGALUR DISTRICT:

Dayananda Sagar college of Engineering, Civil Department

CASE STUDY OF LAND SUBSIDENCE AT WESTERN GHATS

FORESTS IN CHIKMAGALUR DISTRICT

CASE STUDY OF LAND SUBSIDENCE AT WESTERN GHATS

CASE STUDY OF LAND SUBSIDENCE AT WESTERN GHATS