The 23 September 2003 Varunavat Parvat landslide in Uttarkashi township, Uttaranchal

Uttarkashi township, located on the right bank of the Bhaghirathi river, is known to have had a history of natural disasters, including the mass movement activities. A disastrous landslide in the area on the slopes of theVarunavat Parvat struck late in the night on 23 September 2003, immediately after the rainy season. The Varunavat landslide has been classified as a classical example of debris slide (debris slide in the crown portion, and rockfall and rockslide in the middle part). Both natural and human-induced factors are responsible for this slide, however, the main triggering factor is the surface and groundwater. The present study lays the foundations for further work to link landslide activity to rainfall -intensity duration trends so that stochastic relationships may be developed to assess high-risk areas around the slide zone.