Investigation of landslide at Sangaldan near tunnel-47, on Katra- Qazigund railway track, Jammu and Kashmir.

Landslides are the most established geological hazards in the Siwalik and Murree strata of Jammu region. The prolonged rainfall in the area frequently trigger landslides and has become a common phenomenon in hilly areas of Jammu region due to over saturation of slope forming material and cause considerable damage to life and property. The landslide that occurred on the Katra-Qazigund railway track alongside of portal (P2) of tunnel-47 on 25 September 2010 at village Dharam in Sangaldan area of Ramban district caused extensive damage to buildings. The water sensitive lithology (alteration of sandstone and mudstone beds) within the Murree thrust zone has made the area more vulnerable to landslides. Most of the landslides in the area are activated mainly during prolonged rainfall due to increase in pore water pressure as a result of seepage. The present paper is an attempt to study various geological factors along with physio-mechanical properties of slope forming materials to understand their role in failure mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]