Remote sensing to study landslides in Tirumala Hills

Tiruchirapalli, May 16 (UNI) The Centre for Remote Sensing (CRS) of the Bharathidasan University has evolved a Remote Sensing Study for the entire Tirumala Tirupati Hills in Andhra Pradesh to study the fast recurring landslips in the hills.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) designated the CRS to develop strategies to mitigate the phenomenon in the Tirumala Hills where the world famous shrine of Sri Venkateswara was located, attracting millions of pilgrims from all over the world every year, CRS Director S M Ramasamy told mediapersons here today.

The DST constituted an expert committee under his Chairmanship at the request of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). The committee had already made a preliminary survey and field reports identified 42 vulnerable spots where landslides occurred regularly along the two ghat roads.

It was for the first time that a comprehensive study would be made on hilly-terrain using remote sensing technology, Dr Ramasamy said.

The present assignment would include deep studies of rock types and taking stock of tectonic stability and seismic vulnerability among others.

The research work is based on advanced concepts of Geographic Information System (GIS) and develops a hierarchy of computerised databases on rock types and their evolution and deformation.

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