This document presents a study on large scale engineering geological and geotechnical mapping between Kham and the confluence of the Kali Ganga and Mandakini Rivers in Garhwal Himalaya, with an emphasis on landslide studies along the Kali Ganga Valley. The objectives are to map the geology, geotechnical properties, geomorphology, landslides and critical landslide zones, and conduct stability analyses and risk assessment. The methodology involves base mapping, geological mapping, geotechnical sampling, engineering geological mapping, landslide inventory, thematic mapping in GIS, stability analyses, and recommending preventative measures. The outcomes will provide insights into landslide mechanisms in the sensitive MCT zone, identify vulnerable zones,

1. Large scale Engineering Geological and Geotechnical
mapping between Kham and confluence of Kali Ganga
and Mandakini River with an Emphasis on landslide
studies, along Kali Ganga Valley, Garhwal Himalaya
Presented By
Neeraj Ramola
Supervisor Co-Supervisor
Professor Y. P. Sundriyal Dr Vikram Gupta
Department of Geology Scientist ‘E’
HNBGU Srinagar Garhwal WIHG Dehradun
Uttarakhand Uttarakhand

2. THE HIMALAYA
Is a resultant of typical continent-continent
collision.
The upliftment process is still continue.
There are numerous thrusts and faults in the
Himalaya, along whom the movement activity
is going on.

3. INTRODUCTION
• Landslides is one of the major damaging natural
hazard occurs in geologically young and active
Himalaya region. The landslide activities happens
due to high and intense rain fall in the entire
Uttarakhand Himalaya but MCT zone of higher
Himalaya and southern mountain front is more
prone to disastrous activities because it receives high
rain fall comparatively to other places.

4. • Kali Ganga River valley is tectonically very sensitive
and fragile, located within the MCT zone which is
highly unstable domain and has highly sheared and
pulverized rocks (Valdiya, K.S. 1985). And Majority of
incidents of landsides is associated with this zone
(Bhatt 1992, Kimothi et al., 1999).

5. Maximum horizontal
compression along
the MCT gave rise to high
relief which
forms the orographic barrier
for the Indian
summer monsoon also
known as the
southern mountain front.

7. Locality Year Lives claimed
Okhimath
(Kuntha Village)
1979 50
Okhimath 1998 107
Phata- Byung 2001 27
Okhimath 2012 66
Kedarnath 2013 7000 (approx)
Major events of Cloud burst induced Disaster in Mandakini
Valley

9. STUDY AREA
• The study area, Kali Ganga River valley lies between
79°4'30.75" to 790
4'56.90''E longitudes and
30°37'23.65" to 30°32'51.52" N latitudes in Okhimath
tehsil of Rudrapryag district in the Higher Himalaya
terrain of Garhwal Himalaya. The area falls under
survey of India toposheet no 53 N/2.
• Kali Ganga River which is a main tributary of
Mandakini River, originates from Dhaulagiri and
Kaleunbank Glaciers located at the elevation of 4820
meter (approx). Kali Ganga River and Mandani Ganga
(tributary of Kali Ganga) meets at Khunnu (1490
meters).Finally Kali Ganga River meets at the
elevation of 1200 meters with Mandakini River
downstream to Kalimath.

10. Fig. 1: Location map of
the study area.

11. Objectives
• Geological and Geo-Engineering mapping of the
study area at the scale of 1:10,000 and the mapping
of critical zones at the scale of 1:1000.
• To find out causes of frequent occurrences of
landslides in the area.
• Landslide hazard zonation mapping of the area.
• Stability analysis of the critical slopes
• Finally Risk assessment and Remedial measures of
the landslides.

12. 2 to 2.5 meter deep cracks developed due to sinking
along the boundary of Kunjethi Village in which 150
families residing

13. Kunjethi Landslide

14. Cracks on the terraced agriculture fields of Kunjethi

15. Jal-Talla

16. Near Kabiltha

17. Downstream of Kalimath

18. Methodology
• To prepare the base map of area (using Total station,
DGPS and field mapping).
• Geological Mapping (to demarcate various litho units
and structure (thrust/ fault)).
• Geotechnical mapping (sampling of each litho and
soil units will be collected).
• Engineering Geological mapping (SMR, RMR, over
burden GPR (for strength cohesion, frictional angle of
rock and soil)).

19. Continue……..
• Geomorphological mapping and to demarcate the
boundary of flood during 2013.
• Inventory of landslides or related mass movements
Overlay of all maps and found the critical landslide
zones.
• To prepare various thematic maps in GIS environment
and by using these maps critical landslide zones will be
identified.
• Stability analysis of the critical landslide zones using the
above data.
• Risk assessment and prevent measures based on the
stability analysis results.

20. POSSIBLE OUTCOME
• The result of proposed study will shed light on the wide
applicability for understanding the mechanism of
landslide activities in the Himalayan region particularly
within MCT zone which is highly sensitive tectonically as
well receives high precipitation during Indian Summer
Monsoon period and where majority of slope failures
are resulted due high rain and cloud-burst.
• On the basis of the results of these studies, suitable and
innovative remedial measures will be recommended for
preventing the investigated slope to failure further.

21. Continue………..
• Most vulnerable, Vulnerable, least vulnerable
zone will be marked on high resolution map
will be prepared during the study on the basis
of which rehabilitation locations may be find
out.
• On the basis of the conclusions,
recommendations and prepared geo-hazards
map of the area further policies related to the
development activities may be framed.

22. THANK YOU