Assessment of Landslide Susceptibility using Weight of Evidence and Frequency Ratio Model in Shahpur Valley, Eastern Hindu Kush

Abstract. This study assessing the landslide susceptibility using Weight of Evidence (WoE) and Frequency Ratio (FR) model in Shahpur valley, situated in the eastern Hindu Kush. Here, landslide is a recurrent phenomenon that disrupts natural environment and cause huge property damages as well as incurs human losses every year. These damages are expected to increase due to high rate of deforestation in the region, population growth, agricultural expansion and infrastructural development on the fragile slopes. Initially, landslide inventory map was prepared from SPOT5 satellite image and were verified from frequent visits in the field. Seven landslide contributing factors including surface geology, fault lines, slope aspect and gradient, land use, proximity to roads and stream were selected. To analyze the relationship of landslide occurrence with these causative factors, WoE and FR models were used. Based on WoE and FR model landslide susceptibility zonation maps were prepared and were reclassified into very low to very high landslide susceptible zones. Finally, the resultant maps of landslide susceptibility were authenticated using success rate curve and prediction rate curve approach to validate the models.