Establishing radar-derived rainfall thresholds for a landslide early warning system: a case study in the Sichuan Basin, Southwest China

Abstract Rainfall-induced landslides often result in significant human and property losses, and reliable rainfall thresholds can effectively mitigate the hazards associated with them. However, constructing reliable rainfall thresholds in mountainous areas with sparse rain gauge stations is challengi...

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Main Authors: Pinliang Li, Qiang Xu, Jialiang Liu, Fulin Zhang, Xu Ji, Dalei Peng, Chuanhao Pu, Wanlin Chen, Shuang Yuan, Chaoyang He
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10464-6
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author Pinliang Li
Qiang Xu
Jialiang Liu
Fulin Zhang
Xu Ji
Dalei Peng
Chuanhao Pu
Wanlin Chen
Shuang Yuan
Chaoyang He
author_facet Pinliang Li
Qiang Xu
Jialiang Liu
Fulin Zhang
Xu Ji
Dalei Peng
Chuanhao Pu
Wanlin Chen
Shuang Yuan
Chaoyang He
author_sort Pinliang Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Rainfall-induced landslides often result in significant human and property losses, and reliable rainfall thresholds can effectively mitigate the hazards associated with them. However, constructing reliable rainfall thresholds in mountainous areas with sparse rain gauge stations is challenging. This study aims to establish reliable empirical rainfall thresholds for the landslide early warning systems (LEWSs) in the study area, utilizing radar-derived rainfall data processed by deep learning. Firstly, the accuracy of radar-derived rainfall data was verified based on the data with rain gauge measurements. Subsequently, utilizing frequency theory and Bayesian probability analysis methods, in conjunction with the collected landslide data and radar-derived rainfall data, various exceedance probability thresholds for rainfall-induced landslides were determined. Furthermore, the influence of cumulative effective antecedent rainfall on the initiation of landslides was investigated. The proposed threshold equations and the effect of antecedent rainfall on landslides are intended to aid in enhancing the LEWSs for this region. The findings provide valuable insights for managing rainfall-induced landslides, and can be applied to other areas with sparse rainfall data, offering a scientific basis for improved landslide prediction and risk management.
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issn 2045-2322
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publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
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series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-c0eb5dff7ec847149d60c07901995d3e2025-08-20T04:03:06ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111710.1038/s41598-025-10464-6Establishing radar-derived rainfall thresholds for a landslide early warning system: a case study in the Sichuan Basin, Southwest ChinaPinliang Li0Qiang Xu1Jialiang Liu2Fulin Zhang3Xu Ji4Dalei Peng5Chuanhao Pu6Wanlin Chen7Shuang Yuan8Chaoyang He9State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of TechnologyChina Academy of Railway Sciences Co., LtdState Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of TechnologyState Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of TechnologyAbstract Rainfall-induced landslides often result in significant human and property losses, and reliable rainfall thresholds can effectively mitigate the hazards associated with them. However, constructing reliable rainfall thresholds in mountainous areas with sparse rain gauge stations is challenging. This study aims to establish reliable empirical rainfall thresholds for the landslide early warning systems (LEWSs) in the study area, utilizing radar-derived rainfall data processed by deep learning. Firstly, the accuracy of radar-derived rainfall data was verified based on the data with rain gauge measurements. Subsequently, utilizing frequency theory and Bayesian probability analysis methods, in conjunction with the collected landslide data and radar-derived rainfall data, various exceedance probability thresholds for rainfall-induced landslides were determined. Furthermore, the influence of cumulative effective antecedent rainfall on the initiation of landslides was investigated. The proposed threshold equations and the effect of antecedent rainfall on landslides are intended to aid in enhancing the LEWSs for this region. The findings provide valuable insights for managing rainfall-induced landslides, and can be applied to other areas with sparse rainfall data, offering a scientific basis for improved landslide prediction and risk management.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10464-6Rainfall thresholdRadar-derived rainfallAntecedent rainfallLandslide early warning systemBayesian probability analysisFrequency theory
spellingShingle Pinliang Li
Qiang Xu
Jialiang Liu
Fulin Zhang
Xu Ji
Dalei Peng
Chuanhao Pu
Wanlin Chen
Shuang Yuan
Chaoyang He
Establishing radar-derived rainfall thresholds for a landslide early warning system: a case study in the Sichuan Basin, Southwest China
Scientific Reports
Rainfall threshold
Radar-derived rainfall
Antecedent rainfall
Landslide early warning system
Bayesian probability analysis
Frequency theory
title Establishing radar-derived rainfall thresholds for a landslide early warning system: a case study in the Sichuan Basin, Southwest China
title_full Establishing radar-derived rainfall thresholds for a landslide early warning system: a case study in the Sichuan Basin, Southwest China
title_fullStr Establishing radar-derived rainfall thresholds for a landslide early warning system: a case study in the Sichuan Basin, Southwest China
title_full_unstemmed Establishing radar-derived rainfall thresholds for a landslide early warning system: a case study in the Sichuan Basin, Southwest China
title_short Establishing radar-derived rainfall thresholds for a landslide early warning system: a case study in the Sichuan Basin, Southwest China
title_sort establishing radar derived rainfall thresholds for a landslide early warning system a case study in the sichuan basin southwest china
topic Rainfall threshold
Radar-derived rainfall
Antecedent rainfall
Landslide early warning system
Bayesian probability analysis
Frequency theory
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10464-6
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