Landslide Inventory Map of Samdrupjongkhar Dzongkhag

ISO 19115-3 Metadata

Metadata Information

Metadata identifier:
Identifier code: 1CCE38B8-A178-49D5-BEC4-AA05219300B7
Default locale:
Language code: eng
Character encoding: utf8
Metadata contact:
Role: resourceProvider
Responsible party:
Organization:
Name: Geohazards Division
Contact information:
Address:
e-mail address: sonamtshomo@moenr.gov.bt
Indvidual:
Individual:
Name: Sonam Tshomo
Position name: Sr. Geologist
Metadata contact:
Role: pointOfContact
Responsible party:
Organization:
Name: DGM
Contact information:
Address:
e-mail address: kduba@moenr.gov.bt
Indvidual:
Individual:
Name: Kinzang Duba
Position name: Dy. Chief Engineer
Metadata date information:
Date type: revision
Date: 2025-07-29T00:00:00
Metadata standard:
Title: ISO 19115-3 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 1: Fundamentals
Edition: 2014
Metadata scope:
Resource scope: dataset
Metadata maintenance:
Update frequency: asNeeded
Maintenance contact:
Role: resourceProvider
Responsible party:
Organization:
Name: Geohazards Division
Contact information:
Address:
e-mail address: sonamtshomo@moenr.gov.bt
Indvidual:
Individual:
Name: Sonam Tshomo
Position name: Sr. Geologist

Data Identification Information

Resource citation:
Title: Landslide Inventory Map of Samdrupjongkhar Dzongkhag
Citation date:
Date type: publication
Date: 2023-06-30T00:00:00
Citation date:
Date type: creation
Date: 2025-07-29T00:00:00
Abstract: Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhag, situated in southeastern Bhutan, is highly prone to landslides due to its fragile geology, high monsoon rainfall, and increasing infrastructure development in steep terrain. Recognizing its vulnerability, field validations were carried out over two consecutive phases. The first phase, conducted in 2021-2022, was limited in coverage due to logistical constraints. A more targeted second phase (2022–2023) focused on areas with significant impacts on settlements and infrastructure.Out of the 11 gewogs, landslide data were collected from 8 gewogs, with Dewathang Gewog accounting for the highest share (35%) of the total. Field verification showed that 87% of the landslides are active, and the majority are located along roads, directly affecting transportation and nearby communities.The primary triggering factors include road undercutting, intense rainfall, and fragile geological conditions. The landslides are mainly composed of phyllite, shale, siltstone, coal, gneiss, and quartzite, rock types that are often highly weathered, fractured, and susceptible to failure, especially during monsoon periods.Although validations were conducted over two phases, full coverage of the Dzongkhag was not achieved due to time, resource limitations, and difficult terrain. The current inventory emphasizes high-impact areas, while remote or less accessible regions remain unassessed, highlighting the need for future comprehensive risk mapping and mitigation planning.
Purpose: Landslide inventory mapping is a critical process in geohazard management that involves systematically documenting the location, type, size, and timing of past landslides. This information provides essential input for hazard assessments, land-use planning, and disaster preparedness by helping identify vulnerable zones and informing mitigation strategies. It also supports scientific research, model validation, and the development of predictive tools—including machine learning applications—to understand landslide dynamics. Additionally, inventory data contributes to environmental analyses, aiding landscape evolution studies and resource conservation efforts
Credits: Geohazards Division, DGM
Point of contact:
Role: pointOfContact
Responsible party:
Organization:
Name: DGM
Contact information:
Address:
e-mail address: kduba@moenr.gov.bt
Indvidual:
Individual:
Name: Kinzang Duba
Position name: Dy. Chief Engineer
Spatial representation type: vector
Themes or categories of the resource: environment, geoscientificInformation, location
Resource extent:
Geographic element:
Bounding rectangle:
Extent contains the resource: true
West longitude: 91.45
East longitude: 92.1
North latitude: 27.04
South latitude: 26.82
Resource maintenance:
Update frequency: asNeeded
Maintenance contact:
Role: resourceProvider
Responsible party:
Organization:
Name: Geohazards Division
Contact information:
Address:
e-mail address: sonamtshomo@moenr.gov.bt
Indvidual:
Individual:
Name: Sonam Tshomo
Position name: Sr. Geologist
Descriptive keywords:
Keywords: Geohazards, open

Descriptive keywords:
Keywords: Geohazards, open

Default locale:
Language code: eng
Character encoding: utf8

Resource Lineage

Lineage scope:
Scope level: dataset
Source:
Source description: Field survey using handheld GPS and remote sensing technique (Google Earth)