Better landslide warning to be better prepared

- Our goal is to create a network of international experts and to exchange experiences and knowledge regarding methods, models and data used in daily warning evaluations, as well as to discuss operating practices and communication procedures, says Hervé Colleuille, head of Section for Forecasting of Flood and Landslide Hazard.

Many countries, among them Norway, are investing, developing and maintaining operational early warning for rainfall-induced landslides. But are we using the correct methods, tools and resources? Are we issuing the right information to the public in order to be better prepared before large potential damages may occur?  

- We are also interested in discussing the connection between meteorology, hydrology and geological triggering of debris flows and shallow slides, and the interaction between meteorological, flood and landslide forecasting services on a regional level, says Colleuille.

The number of rainfall-induced landslides have increased in the last decades and the observed climate development calls for measure to protect against them. The Sendai Framework, endorsed by the UN in 2015, invites all countries to increase the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk information and assessments to people by 2030. The Framework also encourage to promote the further development of effective, nationally compatible, regional multi-hazard early warning mechanisms.

The workshop is gathering international experts from Europe and USA. 

Participants:

• Austria: Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management (die Wildbach)
• France: National Competence Centre for Industrial Safety and Environmental Protection (INERIS)
• Germany: National Meteorological Service (DWD)
• Iceland: Icelandic Met Office (VEDUR)
• Italy: Regional Agency for the Protection of the Environment (ARPA Piemonte), the National Research Council/Research Institute for Geo-Hydrological Protection (CNR-IRPI)  and University of Salerno
• Sweden: Swedish Geotechnical Institute (SGI)
• Switzerland: Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL)
• UK: British Geological Survey (BGS) and the Met Office
• USA: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
• Norway: Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE), the Geological Survey of Norway (NGU), the Meteorological Institute (MET), the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI), the Norwegian National Rail Administration (JBV), the Norwegian Public Road Administration (SVV) and the University of Oslo (UiO).

Facts about the Norwegian early warning systems for rainfall-induced landslides

• Operational since 2013
• Regional early warning for soil slides, debris flows, and slush flows in Norway
• The warnings are available at www.varsom.no and through the varsom app.
• The service is developed and operated by the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) in cooperation with the Norwegian Public Road Administration (SVV), the Meteorological Institute (MET) and the Norwegian National Rail Administration (JBV).

Facts about the workshop

• The workshop took place in Oslo, on 26th - 28th of October 2016.
• Program
• Presentations and posters. 
• Summary report 
• Summary videos