Mapping debris flows in the Himalayas R. P. Gupta and A. K. Saha Department of Earth Sciences, University of Roorkee Roorkee 247667, India rpgesfes@rurkiu.ernet.in The Himalayas being the highest mountain chain on the earth, are marked by very high relief and intense erosional activity. As a result of weathering and denudational processes, enormous amount of debris is released from the region. The natural rock waste (debris) may travel as a debris flow. As defined, debris flow is a type of landslide in which the various individual particles travel separately within a moving mass. It is an extremely rapid flow of material, consisting of a mixture of rock fragments, boulders, cobbles and gravels, set in a matrix of sand, silt and a small clay content, with a variable quantity of water. The material may be derived from landslides or weathered rock. It moves down the slope under gravity, usually in surges. The debris flow may occur on hill slopes, or more frequently, take the form of a channelled flow. Segments of a debris flow In a debris flow, typically, three segments can be distinguished: the source area, the main flow track and the depositional toe (Fig. 1a & b). The source area is frequently an active zone of landslide with scar and ruptured surface. The source of debris flows is often located in first order watersheds, with steep topographic slopes and concavities. In such areas, an accumulation of colluvium is likely to occur, to serve as the source of debris flows.   The flow track may follow a pre-existing drainage channel. The tracks may have a typical V-shaped cross-section, and can be fairly long, leading to long-distance transportation of debris, for several kilometers. The debris flow ends in an alluvial fan or cone, as it enters into a wider valley with lower gradient.  Delineation of debris flows on remote sensing data The active debris flows can be easily identified on satellite remote sensing images like IRS-1C/1D PAN sensor data, based on tone, topography, slope and shape of the features (Fig. 2). Topographic peaks and valleys can be easily interpreted from differential solar illumination. Light tone (high reflectance) in the panchromatic band is indicative of fresh erosion and absence of vegetation. The light toned scar edge in higher elevated areas with a fan apex-downward indicates the source area. The thin linear light toned feature is the main debris flow track. The depositional cone is characterized by light tone, conical shape with apex upward and base merging with the valley (Figs. 1& 2). Problems associated with debris flows and possible measures The debris flows move in surges and not in a continuous manner. At the time when geotechnical surveys are usually made for developmental planning, often there is no activity in the debris flows, and so they get ignored. This occurs more due to lack of technical appreciation of these features. The construction of roads during developmental activities frequently cut- across the debris flow tracks. The result is that debris is frquently dumped on the roads in every surge, particularly during the monsoons. When debris has accumulated in sufficient amount blocking the road, it is pushed down on the lower slopes to clear the passage. Besides causing traffic hindrance, this also destroys the natural vegetation- ecosystem on the lower slopes. Devbris flow near Uttarkashi (at 148.2 km-stone):  (a) IRS-1D PAN image showing the landslide scar and the debris flow track.  (b) Interpretation map of the satellite image  (c) Field photograph of the scar and the debris flow track  (d) Interpretation sketch of the field photograph  (e) Retaining wall to check the debris flow at the road level Today, the Earth system is compared to a living body by planetologists. In this perspective, debris flows may be compared to sewage channels, the nature’s agents that transport waste (debris) to disposal sites. Therefore, it is necessary that debris flow tracks are not truncated or interfered with. This is particularly so in view of the fact that the natural debris discharge in relatively thin channels takes place in a more environment- friendly manner, as can be seen from the lush vegetation thriving on the either banks of the debris flow tracks (Fig.3c). The solution to the problem lies in either stabilising the source area, or by providing suitable ramps/bridges so that the debris flow is allowed to pass without hindrance. It should be appreciated that the Himalayas give birth to both streams of both water and debris. As a matter of fact, both of them deserve similar concern and consideration. As ramps/bridges over water streams are routinely made, similarly, ramps/bridges over debris flows would be better provided. The various features of the debris flows can be easily mapped on remote sensing images, and therefore this information can be well used in planning and maintenance of the developmental activities. |