Collaborators: University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
The goal of this project was to develop a Landslide Hazard Threat Assessment Module for use with HRC-developed Flash Flood Guidance systems in regions where the threat of landslides is a major hazard. HRC first developed the module in El Salvador in Central America as the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MARN) in the country had a detailed database of landslides that include event timing and site visit reports. HRC then startd the development of the module using data from MARN and the Central America Flash Flood Guidance (CAFFG) system. The CAFFG provides high spatial and temporal resolution precipitation estimates based on satellite data and simulated soil moisture through hydrologic modelling. The approach taken to develop the module and integrate it into the CAFFG system uses the operational CAFFG (for a source of precipitation and depth-integrated soil moisture) in conjunction with landslide susceptibility mapping (slopes with high landslide threat levels) develop a Landslide Hazard Threat Assessment. Real-time assessment of landslide occurrence is done through a paired precipitation and soil moisture threshold for individual small basins throughout the region. This approach was first applied in El Salvador and then added to the CAFFG for the remaining Central America countries. This module is slated to be added next to the South Asia FFG system and the Southeastern Asia Oceania FFG system.