Slope Stability Assessment in Baguio City: A Rainfall-Induced Landslide Disaster

A Case Study Presented to the

College of Engineering Education Department
University of Mindanao

In partial fulfillment for the course

BCE221
Submitted to:
Engr. Rey Albert Cabotaje

Submitted by:
Casamayor, Harrah Mae M.
Medel, Iah B.

December 18, 2020

Introduction

In the Philippines, Baguio City, also known to the locals as the Summer Capital

of the Philippines, is an upland retreated located in the Northern part of Luzon in Grand

Cordillera, specifically in the heart of Benguet Province. It has a 57.5 km² land area,

with an elevation of 1,500 meters above means sea level and its pine-clad topography.

Due to its elevated location, Baguio city is prone to heavy rainfall, which leads to

landslides in the area. Rainfall-induced landslides occur on a yearly basis as a result of

the southwest monsoons and tropical cyclones that pass through the region, notably on

the orographic lifting mountain ranges of Cordillera (Javier et al.,2015). This occurrence

results in different causalities in the cities. According to Nakasu (2011), the landslide

casualties from Typhoon Pepeng have surpassed 200, making Baguio particularly

vulnerable to landslides.

A landslide occurs when a slope's natural stability is disrupted. There are several

possible causes for this prevalence; however, rainfall is the most likely. Landslides

induced by rainfall are one of the most frequent and hazardous causes of a landslide.

USGS (n.d.) stated that a landslide induced by rainfall changes when debris flows

(slurries of water and other sediments moving down slopes); it moves down steep

slopes, particularly those that join stream channels, where it mixes with more water and

silt. In tropical mountainous areas like the Philippines, Central and South America, and

Southeast Asia, the risk of rain-induced slides is much higher. Dense populations are

placed at risk by steep terrain coupled with heavy rainfall brought by monsoon seasons,

hurricanes, and typhoons (Naranjo, 2020).

 The issues caused by rainfall-induced landslides in the city of Baguio,

Philippines, will be explored in this case study. It will also highlight how a landslide

caused by rain affects the city and the danger it will bring to its community. The data

collected from the study will be used to establish a landslide hazard assessment in

order to reduce risks and eliminate the hazards of rainfall-induced landslides in the

region. To devise a potential solution to the problem, the researchers will use an

empirical method to break down the cause and effect of rainfall-induced landslides.

Statement of the Problem

The Philippines is a typhoon-prone country with an average of 20 typhoons

annually, leaving the City of Baguio a geohazard-prone region as it is frequently

subjected to storms and heavy rains. It usually destabilizes the earth, resulting in

landslides or soil erosion, which pose a serious threat to residents, resulting in some

deaths and property damage worth millions of pesos. In this situation, disaster

management measures such as land-use optimization must be strictly implemented

(See, 2019).

Santiago (2020) stated that Landslides are common in Baguio City during storms

and heavy rains, as well as during earthquakes. In addition, the solution to overcoming

rainfall-induced landslides has eluded researchers; as a result, it inflicts damage and

claim the lives of many people all over the world. Rainfall-induced landslides are

characterized by highly complex hydrologic, earth surface, and natural processes that

persist over extensive spatial and temporal scales (Paringit et al. 2020).
 Based on the date of CDRRMC, Typhoon Pepeng hit Baguio City on October 02-

04, 2009, causing 97 landslides and extensive damage to residents' properties which,

additionally, according to Adajar (2020), it was one of the leading causes of mortality in

the city. Also, this period of heavy rain resulted in widespread landslides in Benguet

Province and Baguio City, with more than 200 people reported killed or missing. A

massive landslide in Little Kibungan, La Trinidad, Benguet Province, caused major

damage, with 85 people killed. They also mentioned that a household of eight people,

comprising six children, was buried along with their home in Kitma, Baguio City, as the

mountainside collapsed (Inokuchi, Nakasu & Sato, 2011).

Rainfall Assessment in Baguio City

The graphs in figures 1.1 and 1.2 below show the average measurement of

rainfall and the total days of rainfall that occur monthly, respectively, in Baguio City. See

(2019) accounted that the total rainfall in August surpassed 950 mm, which was higher

than the month's average rainfall. As per Figure 1.1, Baguio's annual rainfall totaled

3562.9 mm, which was determined by adding the average rainfall over the previous

twelve months. According to PAGASA, Baguio City receives the most rainfall per year,

followed by eastern Samar and eastern Surigao.

900 847.9
800
700 670.8

600 582.3
480.6
500
400
331.1
300 262.4

200 102.9 152.3

100 55.9

0 35.8 28.8
12.1
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
 Rainfall (mm)

Figure 1.1 (Average Rainfall in Baguio, Philippines)

ra in fa ll d a y s
30 27
26
25
25 22
19
20 17

15
9
9
10
4
4 5
5 2

0
J an Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug S ep Oc t Nov D ec

Figure 1.2 (Average Rainfall Days)

Hazard Mapping Assessment of Baguio City

 Figure 2 illustrates the land susceptibility of various areas in Baguio City. The

map is designed to help communities mitigate disaster risk effectively. The most

successful way of avoiding and reducing landslide risks, according to the Philippine

Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHILVOLCS), is to prepare and provide

awareness, which entails raising attention to the public and hazard maps.

The susceptibility of the land is dependent on its colors, as shown in Figure 2.

The red area indicates high susceptibility, the purple area indicates moderate

susceptibility, the yellow area indicates low susceptibility, and the white area indicates

no susceptibility. Areas with white and red stripes show potential landslide accumulation

areas.

Areas with low landslide vulnerability scores are low to gentle slopes, according

to the National Risk Reduction Management Center (NDRRMC). An area with a

moderate landslide susceptibility rating includes inactive or old landslides, as well as

stress cracks located away from a city. In addition, areas with a high landslide

susceptibility usually have active or recent landslides as well as stress cracks that could

directly impact a community. Lastly, areas with potential landslide debris accumulation

zones are the ones that are most likely to encounter landslide debris accumulation.
 Figure 2 (Landslide Hazard Map of Baguio City)

Proposed Solution

This research suggests a potential solution to the problem of landslides caused

by rainfall in Baguio City, Philippines. To break down the issue and devise an approach,

an assessment was made considering the average rainfall and land susceptibility of the

said city. This paper suggests a slope stability solution as a reasonable alternative for

landslides caused by rainfall based on the accumulation of various data.

Based on the landslide hazard map in Figure 2, a large portion of Baguio City is

highly susceptible to landslides. Baguio City accumulates a lot of precipitation, as

shown in figures 1.1 and 1.2, and this can happen several times a month. Slope stability

represents a set of consistent design measures used to reduce erosion caused by

disturbed surfaces. The purpose of this proposal is to stabilize the soil, reduce the rain

effect, reduce the overland flow rate, and prevent surface degradation. Drainage

systems, trees, and retaining walls will all be part of the plan.

Water from heavy rainfall is channeled into a drainage system that is built on the soil or

in the subsurface. Either a concrete-lined ditch or permeable piping will be used for this

purpose. The drainage system can safely transport the water away from the city,

preventing a landslide. Slope stabilizing vegetation is a cost-effective and non-intrusive

method of stabilizing slopes with a low inclined angle. Since plants need water to

survive, it can respond to slope failure and shifting. This can reduce the amount of

groundwater available. On the other hand, the retaining walls offer a clear difference
between the two that can be used to hold the slope's higher ground in place and in

places where high water levels are not a problem. It is made from concrete, rock, or

low-decomposition wood such as recycled timber, and it may be built with drains to

allow groundwater to flow through it to ensure its long-term durability (Bedford

Technology, n.d.).

Conclusion

Baguio City is very prone to heavy rain, which causes landslides to the area

because of its topographic location. It was also reported that Baguio City is one of the

places that receives the greatest amount of rainfall annually. There are many causes of

landslide occurrence, but the most frequent and considered one of the most hazardous

potential cause was rainfall. McKean & Roering (2001), said that rainfall-induced

landslide is one of the most common geological hazards that occurs over a wide range

scales in mountainous areas. The assessment on rainfall-induced landslide in Baguio

City reveal the issues caused by rainfall-induced landslides and also disclose how it

affects the economy, infrastructures, and people around the city that literally brought

extreme damage where more than 200 individuals were reported dead or missing.

The rainfall assessment and hazard mapping assessment to the different areas

in Baguio City has provided immense understanding on the susceptibility of the land

areas in the city and the effects it would acquire considering other factors caused by the

rainfall-induced problem. The slope stability solution can be developed through this

approach that can be reliably utilized to understand the risk or capability of soil erosion

by water, under either current site conditions or assumed certain progressions of

relevant dominating elements, in a massive area of interest. The study utilizes a few
boundaries with weights relegated according to the landslide's potential cause. The

study investigated and analyzed the selected regions with various systems in creating

the guidelines to attain the main goal, which is to reduce risks.

The information gathered and the assessment results will serve as a guideline for

the development of the slope stability assessment and hazard mapping. The proposed

solution would be an effective way in minimizing and reducing the hazards, as well as, it

will serve as an awareness and preparation mechanism to prevent and reduce landslide

threats. Drainage system, vegetation and retaining walls have been successfully

practiced and implemented to the assessed areas in Baguio City.

Recommendation

Most people already knew if our environment is safe or unsafe. Furthermore, we

can take the most preventive measures to take ourselves away from unsafe places like

in the mountains where landslides are prevalent. However, there are many stories of

each one of us, especially to the people who lived in Baguio City. They have

fundamental qualities that make them at risk or not to the rainfall-induced landslide.

The following are the possible recommendations:

 The communities can maximize their capacity to adapt to rainfall-induced

landslide by increasing their income and think of more livelihoods that they can do,

strengthening their social network, and having a better and effective early-warning

system in their area.  

  The authors further recommend using these results in organizing and

planning for the municipality’s disaster risk reduction and management. 

 Administrators can also use the results to create policies and prepare the

communities for future landslide events to expand their level of preparedness.

 The results of this study will be presented to stakeholders of the area, their

local government, and communities to have a better understanding of their exposure

to rainfall-induced landslides.

References

Cesar Augusto Hidalgo et al. (2017, Dec 20). Effect of the Rainfall Infiltration Processes
on the Landslide Hazard Assessment of Unsaturated Soils in Tropical
Mountainous Regions. Retrieved from
https://www.intechopen.com/books/engineering-and-mathematical-topics-in-
rainfall/effect-of-the-rainfall-infiltration-processes-on-the-landslide-hazard-
assessment-of-unsaturated-soil
Climate of the Philippines. (n.d.). Retrieved from PAGASA:
http://bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/information/climate-philippines
Common Types of Slope Stabilization Methods. (2020, May 05). Retrieved from Bedford
Technology: https://www.plasticboards.com/common-types-of-slope-stabilization-
methods/
Extreme weather - heavy rainfall. (2020, June 1). Retrieved from NIWA:
https://niwa.co.nz/natural-hazards/extreme-weather-heavy-rainfall
Inokuchi, T., Nakasu, T., & Sato, T. (2011, March). Landslide Disaster around Baguio
City caused by Typhoon Pepeng in 2009. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/296701145_Landslide_Disaster_aroun
d_Baguio_City_caused_by_Typhoon_Pepeng_in_2009
Javier, D., Kumar, L., & Tenonciang , A. (2015, May). Rapid appraisal of rainfall
threshold and selected landslides in Baguio, Philippines. Retrieved from
 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277888390_Rapid_appraisal_of_rainfall
_threshold_and_selected_landslides_in_Baguio_Philippines
Paringit, M. R., Cutora, M. D., Santiago, E., & Adajar, M. Q. (2020, July).
ASSESSMENT OF LANDSLIDE SUSCEPTIBILITY: A CASE STUDY OF
CARABAO MOUNTAIN IN BAGUIO CITY. Retrieved from
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340173295_ASSESSMENT_OF_LAND
SLIDE_SUSCEPTIBILITY_A_CASE_STUDY_OF_CARABAO_MOUNTAIN_IN_
BAGUIO_CITY
PHILIPPINES: Landslide risk increasing - Philippines. (n.d.). Retrieved from ReliefWeb:
https://reliefweb.int/report/philippines/philippines-landslide-risk-increasing
See, D.(2019). Identification of Baguio areas for tree planting.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.baguioheraldexpressonline.com/identificatio
n-of-baguio-areas-for-tree-planting. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
Seismology, P. I. (n.d.). Landslide Prepareness. Retrieved from Philippine Institute of
Volcanology and Seismology:
https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php/landslide/landslide-prepareness
Talubo, J. P., Jacildo, A. J., Espaldon, M. O., & Acosta, L. A. (2015, June 06).
Vulnerability to Rainfall-Induced Landslide of Three Communities in Infanta,
Quezon, Philippines. Retrieved from
https://www.gssrr.org/index.php/JournalOfBasicAndApplied/article/view/4185