Rainfall-Induced Landslides in Cameron Highland Area, Malaysia

Abstract

Cameron Highland is classified as one of the landslide-prone areas in Malaysia due to its hilly landform. It has been discovered that the landslides in Cameron Highland were mainly triggered by the intense rainfall since the area encountered high amount of rainfall throughout the year. This study is carried out to evaluate the correlation between the rainfall intensity- duration (I-D) and the landslide occurrences in the Cameron Highland area. Twelve cases of landslides in the study area had been selected for conducting the analysis of rainfall intensity- duration (I-D) that triggers the landslides. The important variables from the analysis such as the maximum rainfall intensity (I) and the duration of rainfall series (D) have been applied to establish the empirical rainfall intensity-duration (I-D) threshold for Cameron Highland landslide areas. Based on the study, by utilising the logarithmic scale graph and applying a power-law model from the general equation of 1= <xDp, the empirical I-D threshold for Cameron Highland landslide was determined as I = 29.088D0075 (I = rainfall intensity in mm/hr and D = duration in hour). The empirical (I-D) threshold can be a functional mechanism for the Early Warning System (EWS) once it is further developed, that enable the relevant authority to prepare mitigation measures such as evacuation, spreading information to the civilian in order to prevent major losses and casualties due to the landslide events.

Mapping landslide events at Cameron Highlands, Malaysia in relation to land use, rainfall and elevation using Geographical Information System

“…Inadequate control and regulation of development, particularly in the agricultural sector in highland regions, have been identified as significant factors that contribute to a high incidence of landslides in Cameron Highlands [5][6][7]12]. In recent times, a total of 12 landslide occurrences have been reported in the region of Cameron Highlands [13] which transpired for two (2) hours duration characterised by heavy precipitation.…”

“…Malaysia has encountered numerous moderate and severe landslide calamities, and seven cases have been recorded in the year 2022 [4]. Due to its geographical location situated in a monsoonal system region, heavy rainfall averaging more than 3,000 mm annually was one of the main contributors to the landslide occurrence 1249 (2023) 012005 IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1249/1/012005 2 in Malaysia [5]. The Cameron Highlands region has been identified as a location with high landslide vulnerability in Malaysia, which has raised significant concerns to the Malaysian government.…”

“…The occurrence of several landslide events in Cameron Highlands since the 1980s has attracted the attention of numerous scholars who have undertaken studies on landslides in this region. The majority of prior research has indicated that the principal factor contributing to landslides in Cameron Highlands is the combination of heavy precipitation and unregulated land development [5][6][7]. The occurrence of regular annual landslides compelled the residents to endure persistent discomfort.…”

Geographical Information System (GIS)-Based Landslide Susceptibility Mapping in Malaysia: A Review of Past, Current and Future Trends

“…Although most of these landslides occurred on cut slopes or embankments alongside roads and highways in mountainous areas, landslides have occurred in other areas as well. A few landslides have occurred near high-rise apartments and in residential areas, causing death to humans (Muaz Abu Mansor Maturidi et al, 2020). Malaysia experienced 51 landslide disasters from 1998 to 2018 (V. Nhu, Mohammadi, Shahabi, Ahmad, Alansari, Shirzadi, Geertsema, et al, 2020).…”

Climatic Influence on Slope Failure: A Case Study at Kem Terendak, Melaka

“…landslides' occurrence in Malaysia is prolonged heavy rains in hillside areas. Muaz et al (2020) recognized that rainfall is the primary trigger of landslide occurrence, and have to determine the relative importance of high-intensity rainfall and antecedent rainfall and how they may alter the pattern of the rainfall threshold.…”