A note on the occurrence of landslides in Araku valley and its environs, Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

The occurrence of landslides in Araku valley and its environs of Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh have been studied. The slides occurred in a rugged hilly terrain which is a part of Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt. The slides are predominantly debris slides of varying dimensions and occurred in khondalitic country having slopes of the order of 30 . The debris are composed mostly of scree, soil, boulders and weathered rock. The significant causative factor of triggering slides was manifested through heavy rainfall associated with cyclonic storm. The causes of the slope failure include toe erosion, debris accumulation that resulted in blockade, overtopping and changes in the stream courses. The present paper is aimed to identify damage assessment, magnitude of slides and causes of slides with an attempt to suggest some long term corrective and control measures in the area. 2010 Cafet-Innova Technical Society.