Urgent Study Reveals the Alarming Main Reason Behind Landslides in Pakistan | 2025 Report

Main reason behind landslides in Pakistan has once again come under sharp focus after a groundbreaking joint study by Pakistani and Chinese scientists revealed a strong connection between extreme climate patterns and rising landslide activity along the N-15 highway — a major tourism and trade corridor that links Balakot, Naran, Babusar Top, and Chilas.

The research team analysed 455 satellite images, long-term climate records, and extensive field surveys conducted from 1990 to 2023. Their findings identified 335 non-seismic landslides, meaning slides not caused by earthquakes, which repeatedly dumped debris, rocks, and ice onto the N-15, disrupting travel and endangering nearby communities.

The scientists used a three-step approach:

• Interpretation of Landsat and Sentinel-2 satellite data
• Validation through Google Earth
• On-ground field inspections

Their conclusion is clear: climate change is now the dominant driver behind slope failures across Pakistan’s northern mountains.

How Climate Change Triggers Landslides

The study shows that the main reason behind landslides in Pakistan is the rapid change in temperature and rainfall cycles, particularly after 2005. Scientists observed a strong association between:

• Rising seasonal temperatures
• Intense, erratic rainfall
• Accelerated snowmelt
• Increased soil moisture
• Unstable geological structure

Nearly 84% of landslides occurred between April and October — the warm season during which melting glaciers, heavy monsoon rains, and saturated soils weaken already fragile mountain slopes.

In this period, slopes undergo:

• Freeze–thaw cycles
• Rapid soil loosening
• Increased runoff
• Higher pore-water pressure, making slopes more likely to collapse

This reinforces global scientific findings that warming climates increase the frequency of hydrological shocks leading to landslides. (For reference, see global research by NASA Earth Observatory and UNDRR.)

Regional Breakdown of Landslide Risks

The study highlights a distinctive pattern of risk across Pakistan’s diverse mountain zones:

Balakot (Subtropical Climate)

Here, the main reason behind landslides in Pakistan is heavy rainfall. Monsoon downpours quickly oversaturate the soil, causing mudflows and debris failures.

Naran to Babusar Top (Alpine Region)

This section experiences landslides triggered by snowmelt, moisture accumulation, and frequent precipitation. The alpine slopes are steep and highly sensitive to temperature swings.

Chilas (Semi-Arid Zone)

Unlike Balakot or Naran, Chilas faces landslides fueled mainly by extreme heat, weathered rock formation, and fragile geological structure. Sparse vegetation means slopes have almost no natural protection.

These regional variations are crucial for designing targeted preparedness plans and early warning systems.

Key Geological and Terrain Indicators

Terrain analysis revealed some alarming insights about slope stability:

• 86% of landslides occurred on slopes steeper than 40°
• Most slides took place at elevations between 1,000 and 2,500 metres
• Weathered rock, loose soil, and glacial moraines dominate much of the corridor
• Roads built by cutting through mountains have exposed unstable layers

These indicators help authorities predict where future slides are likely to occur.

Community Coping Mechanisms

Field visits in 2022 and 2023 confirmed satellite observations and provided valuable insights into how local populations are adapting. According to the China-Pakistan Joint Research Center on Earth Sciences, many residents:

• Avoid high-risk areas in monsoon months
• Temporarily relocate during intense rainfall
• Delay travel plans if landslides appear imminent

However, due to limited infrastructure and poor access to hazard information, local responses remain “reactive, not proactive.”

The study stresses that without reliable early warning systems and safer road infrastructure, communities will continue to face danger every monsoon season.

Recommendations for Safer Mountain Corridors

To reduce risk along the N-15 corridor, researchers recommend:

Low-Cost Bioengineering Measures

• Planting deep-rooted vegetation in Balakot and Naran
• Restoring natural slopes
• Reinforcing roadside embankments

Structural and Engineering Solutions

• Installing protective stone barriers
• Improving drainage channels
• Preventing water from pooling near slopes
• Using geotextiles and retaining walls

Technology-Based Measures

• Deploying real-time sensors for rainfall and soil moisture
• Enhancing remote monitoring through satellite systems
• Creating hazard maps accessible to local authorities

Community Preparedness

• Public awareness campaigns
• Evacuation drills
• Public signage for high-risk zones

These recommendations align with international best practices endorsed by organizations such as the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

Global Context and Long-Term Implications

The study is consistent with global data on non-seismic landslides.
For instance, a landmark publication by Dr. Melanie Froude and Dave Petley reported 1,583 deaths in Pakistan between 2004 and 2016 due to landslides not caused by earthquakes.

Froude warns that Pakistan must “research, regulate, and educate” to prevent avoidable disasters — especially in mountainous regions where communities, tourists, and transport routes remain vulnerable.

International experts emphasize:

• Better slope monitoring
• Enforcement of safe construction guidelines
• Maintenance of vegetation cover
• Proper drainage systems

These measures jointly tackle the main reason behind landslides in Pakistan, helping reduce long-term risk.

Conclusion

The new research provides a detailed, science-backed roadmap for Pakistan to improve hazard assessment, develop early warning systems, and plan climate-resilient infrastructure in vulnerable mountain regions.

As extreme weather becomes more frequent, understanding the main reason behind landslides in Pakistan is essential for safeguarding the N-15 tourism corridor, protecting local communities, and ensuring safe travel for millions.