Assessing Changing Landslide Risks in Wayanad, Kerala Through Temporal Susceptibility Mapping

Landslide susceptibility mapping is crucial for understanding and mitigating the risks associated with natural disasters, especially in geologically sensitive regions like Wayanad, Kerala. In such regions, certain areas remain consistently vulnerable, while others have experienced an escalation in risk due to factors such as deforestation, infrastructure development, and increased precipitation. This study maps landslide susceptibility in Wayanad, Kerala, over three key periods: July 2023, December 2023, and July 2024, using Google Earth Engine (GEE), a combination of static datasets (such as SRTM DEM, Bhoonidhi for landslide locations, lineament, lithology, and FAO soil data), dynamic datasets (including IMERG for precipitation, SMAP for soil moisture, and Sentinel-2 for NDVI with Google Dynamic World dataset for land use and land cover). Furthermore, by analyzing temporal changes, the research identifies shifts in landslide susceptibility in the region and reveals a significant increase in high-risk areas by July 2024, compared to their susceptibility a year and six months earlier. The study provides insights into the dynamic nature of landslide risks and their correlation with changing parameters, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring and adaptive disaster preparedness strategies.